Australian Open: Exhibition preparation tournament "Kooyong Classic" canceled
With the exhibition tournament "Kooyong Classic" there is already the first prominent tournament cancellation for the beginning of next year.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Nov 02, 2021, 09:56 am
The "Kooyong Classic" are an exhibition tournament in Melbourne, which traditionally takes place in the week before the Australian Open. The preparatory tournament for the first Grand Slam tournament of the year shines with lively participation from the absolute tennis elite, which is also proven by a look at the winners' lists of recent years. Players like Roger Federer, Andy Roddick, Lleyton Hewitt and Kei Nishikori were allowed to lift the trophy.
Comeback possible in 2023
As in this year, the organizers had to cancel the event for the coming season with a heavy heart. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to make it impossible for the event to take place properly, said the president of the Kooyong tennis club, Adam Cossar. "Given the great uncertainty over the past few months about the precautions to be taken in January, it has not been possible to make plans to deliver the best and safest event."
The organizers hope that the tournament can return in 2023. It remains to be seen whether all players must be fully vaccinated at tournaments in the Australian tennis summer. While the Premier of the State of Victoria is pushing for full immunization of the athletes, a leaked email from the WTA indicated that vaccinated athletes are also participating in tournaments down under by means of a 14-day hotel quarantine could.