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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 19: A ballboy on court during a match between Michaella Krajicek of the Netherlands and Ana Ivanovic of Serbia during day four of the 2012 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2012 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Lucas Dawson/Getty Images)
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 19: A ballboy on court during a match between Michaella Krajicek of the Netherlands and Ana Ivanovic of Serbia during day four of the 2012 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2012 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Lucas Dawson/Getty Images)
We are only one month away from the start of the Australian Open 2021. But while the excitement for the tournament is at its peak, the situation around the pandemic outbreak cannot be taken lightly. As a result, the tournament has decided to impose hefty fines on anyone who fails to follow the protocols.
It is an attempt to inculcate the importance of safety standards in everyone present at the Melbourne Park. Therefore, the actions will not limit to the found-guilty only but will also affect his/her team members equally.
The organizers have already arranged to bring all players and team members via chartered flights on January 15 and 16.
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A general view of Melbourne Park during day five of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Fines and charges at the Australian Open 2021
If anybody leaves without the permission of a Victorian Government Authorised Officer, the person would face a Tour liable fine of up to A$20,000.
However, a monetary fine will not be the only way to settle the case. The Australian Open has listed the number of drastic actions one could face in the event of a breach.
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The giant Australian Open logo is seen full of tennis balls ahead of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 05, 2019, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
At first, to maintain the decorum of the tournament, the said culprit can face disqualification. In addition to that, even forfeiture of the prize money is possible.
Apart from that, extended quarantine and isolation in a Government-mandated hotel room are also listed as measures.
Notably, the Australian Open is the first tournament to allow time outside hotel rooms during the quarantine. And accordingly, the organizers expect the players to follow the rules if they want to enjoy the benefits.
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Lastly, the person at fault can also face arrest as well as deportation from Australia. The players are also warned that their team member’s breach will be considered as a breach by them.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 7, 2021
Given the circumstances, the players will look forward to not taking any restrictions leniently. As far as tennis is concerned, everyone is working hard to clinch the first Grand Slam of the year.
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Hopefully, there will not be a single case of a breach, and the Happy Slam will commence happily.
