A third WTA 500 event in Melbourne was added to last week’s Australian Open program to give players the best training and coaching opportunities during the Australian swing.
The Grampians Trophy, for those players who were unable to train during the 14-day quarantine lockout, has now been added to the Melbourne Summer Series of events in February and will run from Wednesday, February 3 to Sunday, February 7. This event will have 28 single players at the main draw.
The Gippsland Trophy and the classic Yarra Valley, the two events originally planned from Sunday, January 31 to Saturday, February 6, will continue with slightly smaller shooting sizes. These events will now have 54 singles players in each main draw, as well as 28 doubles teams each.
Following extensive consultation between players and the WTA and ATP Tours, Tennis Australia has designed a new program, taking into account the limited time that many players have had to prepare.
“This has been a very difficult time for athletes in a strong blockage and, together with the WTA and ATP, we aim to do everything we can to help,” said Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley.
“These changes to the initial events were made to give the 72 players a little extra time to help them prepare. We will also give them priority for things like workouts, gym and ice baths. ”
“This revised program of three WTA 500 events in the week leading up to the Australian Open will allow our athletes who will be out of that quarantine period to focus properly on their preparation to return to competition,” said the CEO. the WTA, Steve Simon.
“We appreciate the positive spirit of collaboration shown by our friends from Tennis Australia and ATP, because these solutions have been made in recent days. All our players appreciate the opportunity to be here in Melbourne and look forward to coming to the field to compete and entertain the great fans who are here with great tennis in the coming weeks, in a safe and healthy environment. ”