Australian Open chief ‘knew there’d be more challenges’ with Covid threat

The emergence of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 has raised new questions about how the Australian Open will go ahead with its 2022 event. 

The first Slam of the year will get underway on 17th January 2022 and recently announced plans to allow full crowds for the first time since 2020.

But now, with the developing news surrounding the new Omicron variant of Covid, Australia has paused the latest phase of easing its border restrictions, which was set to begin on 1st December.

CEO of Tennis Australia and Australian Open director Craig Tiley spoke on the matter, remaining confident the tournament will go ahead smoothly.

“We knew that when we announced the event there would be some more challenges just because of the nature of the world we have been living in for the last two years,” Tiely told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“There are a lot of unanswered questions around this and I think in the next 14 days we will get some more clarity.

“But at this point the plans are going ahead as they are.”

Tennis Australia is looking to stage 16 events across the country ahead of the Australian Open, including the ATP Cup which kicks off on 1st January.

The state of Victoria, where the Australian Open takes place, requires all players to be fully vaccinated in order to take part in the tournament.

The first flights out to Australia carrying players are set to arrive on 27th and 28th December.

At present, players must take one PCR test before leaving plus another test when they arrive in Australia.

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