Australian Open warm-up event cancelled due to unclear Covid-19 guidance

A major warm-up event for the upcoming Australian Open has been cancelled due to uncertainty over Covid-19 guidelines. 

The popular Kooyong Classic tournament was cancelled on Tuesday, with organisers blaming the lack of clarity over the conditions for players in Melbourne.

It is now the second year that the Kooyong Classic, usually played as a pre-cursor to the first slam of the calendar, has been scrapped because of the pandemic.

Kooyong president Adam Cossar revealed he was disappointed the event could not take place in January 2022 but hopes it will return in 2023.

“With the great deal of uncertainty over recent months about the arrangements that would be in place in January, it has not been possible to make the best plans to deliver the best and safest sporting (event),” he said in a statement.

Players are still awaiting clarification on whether they are required to be fully inoculated to play at the Australian Open.

Such a requirement would cast major doubt over Novak Djokovic’s defence of his Australian Open crowd, who is one of several tennis to refrain from revealing their vaccination status.

Despite rumours of unvaccinated players being banned, a leaked WTA email on Monday suggested those who are not jabbed could take part should they complete a two-week hotel quarantine, whilst double-jabbed stars could enjoy ‘freedom of movement’.

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