More Aussie events could follow Australian Open on tour schedule

Tennis Australia has yet to receive government approval for its plans to hold the Australian Open, but it is already planning more tour events in Australia if permitted.

Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley expects the sport to be still "seriously challenged" by international coronavirus restrictions during the first three months of next year, and with the tours still unsure of their schedules, there is potential to add some events at Melbourne Park once the Aussie Open is completed.

"It's an open conversation right now," he told the *Daily Mail*. "It's about how it impacts the rest of the tour and if the tours and the players want it. If they do we would entertain it. It is on the table and they are looking at it. They are looking at what happens next season."

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Meanwhile, the schedule of warm-up events before the Australian Open is still unclear, with Tennis Australia seeking approval of its plans for players and teams to train while they complete a mandated quarantine. And while Australia currently has no local cases and is lifting internal restrictions on movement, it is also looking for assurance that players will be allowed to travel from one state to another even if more cases occur.

If not, it will hold all warm-up events in Melbourne, said Tiley. That would affect the ATP Cup, which would be reduced down to eight teams, or not played at all.

But other than that, players would get a type of tournament experience they have not had recently, being allowed to leave the grounds and hotel and enjoy usual activities.

"Our biggest advantage is that once quarantine is done, players will be able to move around freely,"  said Tiley.

The Australian warm up events consist of ATP Cup, played in Sydney, Perth and Brisbane, along with WTA events at Hobart, Adelaide and Brisbane.