The director of the Australian Open, Craig Tiley, has insisted that the 2022 edition of the oceanic 'Grand Slam' will take place, as usual, in the city of Melbourne, despite a report saying it might have to be moved by the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are going to be here in Melbourne, we are going to make it work, it will be in January. We are going to find a way to bring here players who are currently traveling the world. in a 'bubble', “Tiley said Monday in several Australian media.
Australia has assured that it will not open its borders until well into next year, while several players complained about the harsh conditions of the two-week quarantine periods required to host the 2021 edition at Melbourne Park.
Local broadcaster ABC said Dubai and Doha, which hosted the men's and women's qualifying matches at this year's Australian Open, would be “among potential host cities. if it were necessary to relocate the first 'Grand Slam' of the year “.
Tiley, however, insists that the difficulties created by the coronavirus can be overcome. “COVID-19 does not allow mass meetings and international travel to happen, the pillars of our success. Being able to get around that was a challenge. There is a lot of speculation about what will happen in 2022, and we are going to embark on the same path as in 2021, “he said.