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Australian Open qualifying to take place in Middle East during Christmas


According to multiple sources, the qualifying rounds of the Australian Open will take place outside of the country for a second year in succession.

Plans set out by Australian Open organisers will see the qualifying rounds take place in the Middle East, with the most likely date for the final qualifying round said to be Christmas Eve.

According to tour sources, the women’s qualifying will take place in Dubai with male players set to compete in Abu Dhabi, before potentially travelling to Australia on chartered flights.

Not only will the qualifiers be impacted, but also main draw players with health officials wanting players to arrive well in advance to serve restrictions which would allow them a certain amount of practice and training within a controlled bubble.

Although a date hasn’t yet been set, it is expected the players will head out to Australia in late December ahead of the warm-up events to the Australian Open in January.

Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley has also said that players who have received their vaccinations will be treated differently from those who are not, with more freedoms and potentially a more lenient quarantine given to those who are fully-jabbed.


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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.