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Delayed Australian Open to start February 8: ATP
MELBOURNE, Dec 17, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – The Australian Open will start three weeks late on February 8, the ATP announced Thursday, after coronavirus disrupted preparations for the first Grand Slam of 2021.
Men’s qualifiers will be held from January 10-13 in Doha, before players and support staff travel to Australia and complete a mandatory 14-day quarantine.
There was no immediate word on the women’s qualifiers.
A slimmed-down 12-team ATP Cup, the relocated Adelaide International, and a ATP 250 tournament will all be held in Melbourne ahead of the Slam which is now scheduled from February 8-21.
BSS/AFP/MSY/0714 hrs