Australian Open stars in a bubble to keep the tournament going

Australian Open contenders will enter a COVID-safe bubble over the next five days to ensure the already controversial tournament continues.

Serena Williams emerged from Rod Laver Arena to be told of the lockdown

Australian Open contenders and their entourages will enter a COVID-safe bubble over the next five days in order to ensure the already controversial tournament continues.

There was consternation at Melbourne Park on Friday, with players including American legend Serena Williams walking off the court to learn the whole of Victoria was about to enter lockdown.

But Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley said the show will go on, noting that playing the Australian Open without fans had already been one of the contingencies considered.

“Play will continue. The players will compete in a bubble form,” he said.

“Those who will be allowed on site will be the players only and their support team, as well as staff members who will be unable to do their work from home.

“The players have all been very good about it. They understand. They have been through a rigorous program already.”

The Victorian government deemed the players to be essential workers, a description tournament favourite Naomi Osaka said “kind of seems a bit funny,”.

“But I don’t know. I don’t make the rules,” she said.

Those still in contention in the Australian Open will be better off than the rest of the state – at least they will be able to train and spend time around Melbourne Park.

Aside from accessing tennis courts to practise and gymnasiums to train, restaurants and other facilities including medical rooms and ice baths will be available.

“I imagine most of them will spend all their time here,” Tiley said. “One thing they cannot do is go around the city. They won’t be able to do that, but … all of us will be adhering to that.

“The most important thing is the safety of everyone. We’re going to have to work through it. We’ve got an event to deliver. The team has done a good job handling these challenges.”

Those enjoying the facilities at Melbourne Park also includes those who are entered into a WTA Tour event being held in conjunction with the Australian Open next week.

With South Australia’s border shut to Victoria, a decision will need to be made on another WTA Tournament scheduled for Adelaide the week following the Open.

Zoom calls with players and coaches were held as Victorian Premier Dan Andrews was outlining the five-day circuit breaking lockdown due to begin at 11.59pm on Friday.

Tournament officials were preparing on Friday night to usher all fans out of the stadium if any match went past 11.30pm.

There will be no fans allowed into Melbourne Park until at least Thursday, which is the day of the women’s semi-finals. One of the men’s semi-finals will be held on Thursday night, the other Friday.

Those who holding tickets for matches over the next five days will be eligible for refunds.

It adds to the economic carnage Tennis Australia is already experiencing given the massive financial outlay to fly in players and their entourages from around the world for quarantine.

But the impact of not running the Australian Open at all would have been even more financially testing, as it would not have meant no payments from sponsors and broadcasters. Contracts have already been reduced for 2021.

Williams, who defeated Anastasia Potapova 7-6 (5) 6-2 to set up a fourth-round clash with Aryna Sabalenka, was stunned when she was told of the lockdown as she left Rod Laver Arena.

“I didn’t know at all until the match was over. I think it’s good that I didn’t know,” she said.

“It’s rough. It’s going to be a rough few days for I think everyone. But we’ll hopefully get through it.

“It’s not ideal. It’s been really fun to have the crowd back, especially here. It’s been really cool. But … at the end of the day, we have to do what’s best. Hopefully it will be all right.”

Osaka won the US Open last September in a tournament played without fans in attendance and said it was unfortunate Melbourne Park will be the same for at least five days.

“I think for me … (the) thing is we’re guests here, so (it is) whatever works for the safety of everyone,” she said.

“Because I know there were quite a few people that weren’t really happy with us being here in the first place, so I think we’re all just really happy to be playing anyway

“I’ve played New York without fans, and it went really well for me. I’m sad, but I know what the priority is.”