"Crazy and stressful times" - Nobody knows how things will start in 2021
The tussle over the timing of the Australian Open continues. Meanwhile, there is also a controversy about a possible vaccination requirement.
by SID
last edit: Nov 25, 2020, 03:57 pm
The heads have been smoking for weeks, and there is still no breakthrough: The game for the Australian Open continues, the start of the tennis year 2021 is still in the stars. An increasingly difficult situation for professionals.
"Preparations are already beginning to get ready for 2021," tweeted Patrick Mouratoglou, star coach of Serena Williams and Stefanos Tsitsipas : "But we don't even know when and where we will start. Crazy and stressful times for professional tennis players . "
In the meantime, there are signs that the first highlight of the year in Melbourne will be postponed by one to two weeks. Such a schedule is now "most likely," said Martin Pakula, Minister of Sports for Victoria State. But on this basis it is hardly possible for Alexander Zverev and Co. to plan and align the preparation perfectly. Originally the Grand Slam tournament was supposed to start on January 18th in Melbourne.
Shorter rather than longer delay
"I still think that it is much more likely that there will be a shorter delay than a longer delay," said Pakula, referring to "very complex negotiations". In addition to the government of the state, the organizing association Tennis Australia (TA), the rights holder "Nine" and the players' associations ATP and WTA are also involved. It is extremely tricky to bring all interests under one roof.
Because of the corona crisis, Australia has been virtually isolated from the rest of the world for almost eight months, it is questionable how the quarantine regulation will be dealt with for the participants. It still seems realistic that the players and their staff will arrive in early January.
Djokovic strictly against compulsory vaccination
Pakula has now announced an "extremely strict test system", and the discussion about a possible vaccination requirement may also pick up speed. Andy Murray , three-time Grand Slam champion from Great Britain, is for it when science is ready by then. "I would hope that all players are willing to do this for the good of the sport," said Murray, "Provided everything is proven safe, clinical studies and everything has been done and there are no significant side effects."
The world number one Novak Djokovic , on the other hand, takes a more defensive stance. "I'm not an expert," the Serb told the New York Times: "But I would like to have the chance to decide for myself what is best for my body."