Osaka, Serena, Djokovic in action as delayed Australian Open begins
Issued on:
07/02/2021 - 22:06 3 min
Melbourne (AFP)
US Open champion Naomi Osaka will get the delayed Australian Open under way when she strides on to Rod Laver Arena Monday morning, with Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams also in the spotlight on day one.
The tournament is known as the Happy Slam for its convivial atmosphere but the coronavirus has cast dark clouds over this year s build-up.
Djokovic is going for a record-extending ninth Melbourne Park crown, Williams is still chasing the major she needs to match Margaret Court s all-time mark of 24 Grand Slams and Osaka is after her second Australian Open title in three years.
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Australian Open boss Craig Tiley feared the tournamentâs grand slam status could have been at risk, leaving the door open for other countries to poach the event, if the Victorian government had bowed to pressure to cancel it.
The Open will get under way on Monday at Melbourne Park, which will be open to crowds of almost 50 per cent capacity each day, following a massive logistical effort to quarantine the players and their entourages.
Serena Williams on court in Melbourne on Friday.
Credit:AP
Tennis Australia and the Andrews government have also weathered a storm of criticism over the decision to allow tennis players into the country while Australians were stranded overseas, and from some players who objected to the harsh quarantine measures.
AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2021: Serena, Venus Williams on court Day 1
The Associated PressFebruary 6, 2021 GMT
SURFACE
SCHEDULE
The 14-day tournament begins Monday morning in Australia (Sunday evening EST). The women’s singles final is Feb. 20, and the men’s singles final is Feb. 21; both are to begin at about 7:30 p.m. in Australia (3:30 a.m. EST). Like at the U.S. Open, there are separate day and night sessions. The tournament is beginning three weeks after originally scheduled, a change made because of the coronavirus pandemic.
SEEDS
Ash Barty is seeded No. 1 in the women’s draw; Novak Djokovic is seeded No. 1 in the men’s draw. The seedings follow the WTA and ATP rankings.