Australian Open 2021

[PKBasu]

There is growing speculation (based on leaks of ongoing confidential discussions) that the AO will be postponed to 8th February: https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/n ... -february/

It isn't clear whether there will be any qualifying rounds. But if it is indeed to be played in February, the organizers should be able to have a full round of qualifiers starting on 1 February.

I wonder what that does to the Maharashtra Open and the Challengers that India hosted in February last year. I hope some deft schedule changes are made, and all the tournaments do occur in India.

[Rajiv]

AO will commence on 8th Feb and will run for 3 weeks instead of customary 2 weeks.
The qualies most probably will be held outside Australia, at a venue yet to be decided

[sameerph]

Yes, it seems qualies will be held either at Dubai or US. Players do not want to travel all the way to Australia and go into a 14 day quarentine just for playing 1-2 round of qualies.

Pune ATP and Bangalore challenger are already postponed to later part of the year.

[prasen9]

The U.S., France, and Germany have reduced the quarantine period to 7-10 days based on scientific data. Maybe the Aussies will do the same soon?

[sameerph]

I do not think Europe and US have any rule of quarentine for tennis players. RamK travelled from Europe to US last month and played within 2 days. Ankita travelled to Dubai just 2-3 days back and seems to be playing there in next 1-2 days.

So, it will be much easier for players ranked between 100-250 to go and play there ( they can also play some challengers in the preceeding) succeding weeks. Going to Australia and staying there for 14 days and get knocked out in first round of qualies would be too expensive for them.

Thus, it makes sense to have qualies outside Australia on a similar surface. Then, only those who qualify for main draw, will travel to Australia.

[prasen9]

Yes, not refuting anything you say. i was saying that the 14-day quarantine rule for say those who have been in contact has been reduced to 7 days (France) or even 5 days in many countries. So, Australia may come down with the number of quarantine days.

[sameerph]

It is offical now tha Australian open will be held on February 8 as per the early ATP tour calender announced.

Mens qualifiers will be in Doha from 10th to 13th Janauary. No official announement on womens qualies yet but it is most likely to be in Dubai on same dates as mens qualfiers. Will be easier for our guys for travel I think.

[PKBasu]

Very interesting. So the qualifiers will be in relatively cool Doha (where it is typically 17-21C during the day in January), and will be completed nearly a month (4 weeks) before the start of the main draw, so those who actually qualify will be able to travel to Australia and spend a fortnight in quarantine before beginning serious practice for the AO.

I presume four Indians will be playing the men's singles qualifiers -- Prajnesh, Sumit, Yuki Bhambri and Ramkumar Ramanathan -- and at least one will be playing the women's singles qualifiers (Ankita Raina).

[gbelday]

So no juniors this time? Is that confirmed?

[Dinesh]

Ankita and Karman(PR) are in the AO q list, as expected.

[Dinesh]

Prajnesh, Sumit, and RamK are in the men’s Q list: no signs of Yuki returning to the Aussies circuit.

[PKBasu]

Nice to see Karman in the AO qualifying list with her protected ranking.
Yuki's has to be the weirdest career among all the weird careers that Indian tennis players have had. Two years out of the circuit now, and no sign of when he will be back.

[vparam]

Sumit Nagal awarded main draw wild card! That’s unbelievable! Sumit and Andy Murray were the only non Australians to receive a wild card on the men’s side.

[suresh]

Wonderful news! Sumit deserves it.

[PKBasu]

Sumit Nagal awarded main draw wild card! That’s unbelievable! Sumit and Andy Murray were the only non Australians to receive a wild card on the men’s side.

Wow! That is amazing news. Presumably, since the AO couldn't hold the Asia-Pacific wildcard playoff this year, they picked the most deserving Asian player -- and surely, Sumit is that player! Congratulations to him.