Australian Open 2021: the first wildcards!

Australian Open 2021: here are the first wild cards announced by tennis Australia with the Slam starting on February 8th.

In women's singles the first wild cards are Daria Gavrilova, Astra Sharma, Maddison Inglis and Lizette Cabrera. Australian Gavrilova, world no. 450 and former no. 20 in 2017, she received a wild card for the French Open in 2020, but Eugenie Bouchard defeated her in the second round. Sharma, world no. 129 and Inglis, world no. 130 received the second and third wild-cards, while Cabrera, world no. 140 is at least for now the last wild card awarded for the Happy Slam.

In men's singles the wild cards for now are Christopher O'Connell, world no. 120 and Marc Polmans, world no. 124.

As for the remaining wildcards, one per draw will go to players from the Asia-Pacific area, while the others, five for men's singles and three for women's singles, will be awarded in the coming weeks.

Christmas has come early for these #AO2021 wildcards. 🇦🇺 @Daria_gav 🇦🇺 @marcpolmans 🇦🇺 @astrasharma 🇦🇺 Maddison Inglis 🇦🇺 @chrisoconnelll 🇦🇺 @lizzycabrera97#AusOpen

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) December 23, 2020

The country's government helps the Australian Open

The country's government helps the Australian Open 2021: government of Victoria should give financial support and coverage transport and accommodation for players and staff. A five-hour daily training window, including on-court and gym preparation and meal times. 

Players will need to stay in their room for the rest of the day a negative swab performed two days before departure for Australia, which will be followed by another five during the 14 days of quarantine. Local administration will take care of their travel to and from the clubs, Melbourne Park and the Albert Reserve Tennis Center

Tim Pallas said: "The Australian Open is of vital importance for our sports programming, and it is equally important to Tennis Australia and its sustainability. For this reason, we are aware of the need to discuss with them what is the right recognition for the effort they are making to organize the event.

I have made it clear that I expect something in return for the state of Victoria under these agreements. We are working to assist Tennis Australia in organizing this great sporting event: essentially there will be a cost for the state and one for the tennis federation by virtue of the time shift; we will be happy to support the safe conduct of the tournament ".

There is optimism about the possibility to have the event run at a reduced capacity of crowd. We have to recall that the Australian Open 2021 is going to be played in February. We have to wait only the official confirmation from the Australian Open and the government of Victoria. The tournament should be played from 8 February 2021, according by L'Equipe.We are now used to living with a new normal.

Absolutely valid speech also for the tennis world, which between August and November managed at least to group two Grand Slams, two ATP Masters 1000s and the ATP Finals. That is why after the speculations of the last few weeks, and the specter of cancellation, more than positive information can be drawn from Craig Tiley's note.

The CEO of Tennis Australia has in fact spoken of details to be defined in view of the Slam downunder that almost certainly will not be played on the dates originally scheduled (18-31 January). "Obviously we are also in constant contact with the ATP, WTA, players and their teams to evaluate how a safe training program can be reconciled with the quarantine conditions proposed by the local government," he explained very clearly.

Probably the 8 of the second month of the season could be a day in which the organizers could think about a start. "Understandably, there is public speculation about the various plans and protocols that are being considered, as well as the confidential conversations that have been made, but our position remains clear: every aspect and decision requires the agreement and approval of the Victorian government.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2KRDQBb