Australian Open 2021 not insured against pandemic
Australian Open insurance for a pandemic expires this year. An extension currently seems unlikely.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Jul 03, 2020, 08:00 am
The good news first: The situation regarding the corona pandemic seems to be comparably good in Australia, in neighboring New Zealand it has already been declared the winner of the virus. And again allows rugby games in front of full stadiums. This is exactly the scenario that Tennis Australia has in mind when the traditionally first major of the year is to take place in Melbourne in early 2021.
How the audience should be composed is still open. A few weeks ago, the idea spread that only local fans will be admitted to the upcoming Australian Open.
Wimbledon at a loss despite insurance?
The financial losses when a major is played without fans can only be quantified exactly after the US Open this September. In the event of a complete cancellation like in Wimbledon, insurance is helpful (although British media reports that the All England Lawn Tennis Club has nevertheless made a loss of around £ 100m - which the organizers deny, by the way).
The Australian Open are also insured against the event of a pandemic. However, only until the end of this year. And given the global situation, an extension seems almost impossible. "Although we have been able to include pandemic insurance coverage as part of our policy over the past few years, COVID-19 will prevent this in the future, at least in the short term," said Tennis Australia in a statement.