via Getty
A general view inside Rod Laver Arena at sunset during the Men’s Singles Final match betwen Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Rafael Nadal of Spain during day 14 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
via Getty
A general view inside Rod Laver Arena at sunset during the Men’s Singles Final match betwen Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Rafael Nadal of Spain during day 14 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
With the entire focus on the 2021 Australian Open, the first Grand Slam is most likely to get delayed by two weeks. If the decision is made official, then it will allow the players to quarantine for two weeks and subsequently gain match practice before the inception of the tournament in February.
While the possibility of the ATP Cup is still subject to speculation, other pre-Open events held in Brisbane, Hobart, and Adelaide will get shifted to Melbourne to make it convenient for the players. Tennis Australia Chief, Craig Tiley, has stated that the governing body is in constant touch with local health authorities regarding quarantining and bio-security requirements.
via Getty
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – A general view of Rod Laver Arena during day six of the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)
Recently, Brett Phillips invited Australian’s number 2 male player John Millman on his show ‘The First Serve‘. The duo discussed the upcoming Australian summer of tennis, the season-ending ATP Finals, and grassroots news.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Millman lauds the Australian Open team
The host asked Millman about information he has been receiving about the next year’s Australian Open, considering the difficulty faced by the Victorian government. Currently under quarantine, Millman remarked that Tennis Australian team are of the best administrators in the world and hopes the players will get clarity on the schedule to plan accordingly.
“First and foremost, Tennis Australian and Australian Open team, in particular, are of the best-oiled machines in world tennis. Craig Tiley and his team are doing an incredible job. Their hands have been tied a little bit from my understanding, so as to getting some clarity out there on what the Australian summer is going to look like. It’s actually quite important because players really do have to start making those plans.” said Millman, during the podcast.
The 31-year-old emphasized the importance of training during the two-week long quarantine period. Millman suggested that tennis players can play warm-up tournaments inside the bio-secure bubble, just like the Australian cricket team.
