‘Australian Open won’t happen under current restrictions,’ warns Craig Tiley

[Cashman]

AO doesn't need to be cancelled. Just play it the way USO was played. No crowds.

The issue is not the crowds - it is the players and support teams. Australia is leading the world in control of this disease - they have single digit daily case numbers and are starting to get back to normal life.

Holding the AO would involve letting in hundreds (if not thousands) of people from all over the world, many from places like the US and Europe that are riddled with disease.

Melbourne has already had an extremely damaging second wave, triggered by a quarantine breach. It caused the state of Victoria to be cut off from the rest of the country for months, cost them billions of dollars and hundreds of lives, and has left them lagging well behind the rest of Australia in terms of an economic recovery.

If ATP/WTA players and their support staff brought the disease into the country and Melbourne had a second quarantine breach, the domestic ramifications would be huge. It's entirely possible that the politicians will decide it's just better not to risk it.

 

[USO]

Federer is licking his lips like it's Christmas morning

Why? Wouldn't he want to be back at the AO?

 

[Fedinkum]

They double down on Melbourne by cancelling Brisbane Tennis. I really thought many pros would have trained and warm up in Brisbane (being the safest East Coast state) then travel to Melbourne for two weeks. Let’s see how Melbourne can recover. Good luck Melbourne!

 

[USO]

If the AO gets cancelled then we will have 2 consecutive slams at the FO.

 

[pj80]

If the AO gets cancelled then we will have 2 consecutive slams at the FO.

USO and FO took place despite a lot of cases it would be sad if aussies cant pull it off with no cases

 

[Beckerserve]

‘Australian Open won’t happen under current restrictions,’ warns Craig Tiley – SportsCreate

sportscreate.com

And there is already another Australian Open that got cancelled a few days ago.

Golf: Australia Open cancelled for first time since World War Two

The 105th edition of the country’s oldest and most prestigious tournament, scheduled to take place at Melbourne’s Kingston Heath Golf Club, had already been postponed from its usual slot in November.

indianexpress.com

Wimbledon 2020 cancelled: #18
USO 2020 defaulted: #19
AO 2021 cancelled: #20

Djokovic needs to go into The Don mode. Had the events been played in normal conditions he would have won big. Frankly he did win. Illegal cancellation of Wimbledon. Illegal default at USO. Illegal change of balls at FO to annoy Rafa into hitting beast mode. Illegal cancellation of AO if it happens. So on a recount it would be 20 20 19.
If Djokovic said the above he would at a stroke be the most popular ever player of all time. It would be epic.

 

[Beckerserve]

3 months to.go!!!!!!!

To be fair just less than 2 months to go now but what is confusing is Melbourne is out of lockdown and has no new cases so one would think it has a great chance to go ahead.

 

[skypadq]

i just hope AO is cancelled

 

[USO]

i just hope AO is cancelled

Don’t you want to see Sonego or Kyrgios easily beat Djokovic in an early round?

 

[skypadq]

Don’t you want to see Sonego or Kyrgios easily beat Djokovic in an early round?

no way , djokovic is gonna win agian

 

[Aussie Darcy]

USO and FO took place despite a lot of cases it would be sad if aussies cant pull it off with no cases

The thing is we don’t want any cases. Most states here no longer have community transmission (my state of 5 million hasn’t had it in over 60 days) we have just 10 active cases all in hotel quarantine. Even if one player brings Covid to a state it would be huge. The US and French Open’s didn’t care too much if they had a positive player like Paire or Moutet but it could end the tournament here in Aus. Our Victorian Premier has rightfully said our health and safety comes before tennis and I agree. I want the AO to happen so badly but it’s not worth it if it brings Covid back to our states. We went for eradication and we’ve got one of if not the best curve in the world for beating this virus. Many want to keep it that way.

 

[Slowtwitcher]

The issue is not the crowds - it is the players and support teams. Australia is leading the world in control of this disease

Hardly. Japan, South Korea, Taiwan just for 3 examples are doing much better.

 

[USO]

The thing is we don’t want any cases. Most states here no longer have community transmission (my state of 5 million hasn’t had it in over 60 days) we have just 10 active cases all in hotel quarantine. Even if one player brings Covid to a state it would be huge. The US and French Open’s didn’t care too much if they had a positive player like Paire or Moutet but it could end the tournament here in Aus. Our Victorian Premier has rightfully said our health and safety comes before tennis and I agree. I want the AO to happen so badly but it’s no worth it if it brings Covid back to our states. We went for eradication and we’ve got one of if not the best curve in the world for beating this virus. Many want to keep it that way.

So all airports are closed right now in Australia, you guys are receiving nobody?

 

[bluetrain4]

USO and FO took place despite a lot of cases it would be sad if aussies cant pull it off with no cases

They absolutely can. I guess it's a matter of if they want to and if they should.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Hardly. Japan, South Korea, Taiwan just for 3 examples are doing much better.

Yesterday Japan recorded 1,190 new cases and 18 deaths.
South Korea recorded 313 new cases and 2 death
Australia? 6 new cases and 0 deaths.

I’ll give you Taiwan but don’t try with Japan and South Korea.

 

[USO]

no way , djokovic is gonna win agian

Then the AO must get cancelled. Ideally they should go on with the tournament but if Djokovic makes the final then they should cancel it.

 

[Slowtwitcher]

The only way AO happens is if everyone coming in is vaccinated. It's possible but the optics would be terrible. I don't think AO will happen.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

So all airports are closed right now in Australia, you guys are receiving nobody?

Only returning expats and quite a lot are still stuck overseas but yes our borders are closed internationally. Some states are open to other states but it depends on the Covid situation In the state.

 

[skypadq]

The only way AO happens is if everyone coming in is vaccinated. It's possible but the optics would be terrible. I don't think AO will happen.

great , do you see wimbledon cancelled too ?

 

[Slowtwitcher]

Yesterday Japan recorded 1,190 new cases and 18 deaths.
South Korea recorded 313 new cases and 2 death
Australia? 6 new cases and 0 deaths.

I’ll give you Taiwan but don’t try with Japan and South Korea.

Those are great numbers for societies that largely went back to "normal."

 

[USO]

Only returning expats and quite a lot are still stuck overseas but yes our borders are closed internationally. Some states are open to other states but it depends on the Covid situation In the state.

OK fair enough. Well if they canceled the golf tournament then it’s not looking good for the AO.

 

[Slowtwitcher]

great , do you see wimbledon cancelled too ?

Not familiar with the pandemic insurance terms WImbledon has for 2021

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Those are great numbers for societies that largely went back to "normal."

Back to normal? Try again man. My state is the normal one, not the cities losing thousands around the world. My city of Brisbane tonight is hosting the largest sporting event in the world since Covid began with 50,000 attending because as I said, we have no community transmission. While other countries went and decided to live and die with the virus, we went different and now we are looking good. I’m not sure where you’re from but I’m sure Covid isn’t beaten there even remotely.

 

[skypadq]

Not familiar with the pandemic insurance terms WImbledon has for 2021

okay

 

[Cashman]

To be fair just less than 2 months to go now but what is confusing is Melbourne is out of lockdown and has no new cases so one would think it has a great chance to go ahead.

There are local political factors to consider. Victoria was in lockdown because they stuffed up the quarantining of international travellers. That one mistake caused a huge outbreak, causing their state to be cut off from the rest of the country.

It's entirely possible that the politicians will decide risking a rerun of the last few months is not worth going ahead with a tennis tournament.

Hardly. Japan, South Korea, Taiwan just for 3 examples are doing much better.

'Much better'. There are a bunch of countries at the forefront of handling this epidemic - Australia is one of them. Sorry to tell you that mate.

 

[Slowtwitcher]

Back to normal? Try again man. My state is the normal one, not the cities losing thousands around the world. My city of Brisbane tonight is hosting the largest sporting event in the world since Covid began with 50,000 attending because as I said, we have no community transmission. While other countries went and decided to live and die with the virus, we went different and now we are looking good. I’m not sure where you’re from but I’m sure Covid isn’t beaten there even remotely.

Yeah this started with me saying that AUS was not the BEST. I mostly agree with your arguments. As for things here being worse than in AUS... yeah...

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Yeah this started with me saying that AUS was not the BEST. I mostly agree with your arguments. As for things here being worse than in AUS... yeah...

We are one of the best. the comparisons to Japan and South Korea were poor. There’s a very, very small group of countries that are doing a better job.

 

[Subway Tennis]

The thing is we don’t want any cases. Most states here no longer have community transmission (my state of 5 million hasn’t had it in over 60 days) we have just 10 active cases all in hotel quarantine. Even if one player brings Covid to a state it would be huge. The US and French Open’s didn’t care too much if they had a positive player like Paire or Moutet but it could end the tournament here in Aus. Our Victorian Premier has rightfully said our health and safety comes before tennis and I agree. I want the AO to happen so badly but it’s no worth it if it brings Covid back to our states. We went for eradication and we’ve got one of if not the best curve in the world for beating this virus. Many want to keep it that way.

Having just come out of the 8 week + lockdown in Melbourne, the above articulates my feelings on the matter pretty well.

Ideally I would like to say it should be fine if all the entourages land and observe a strict two week quarantine, but that is fanciful. The players and their support teams comprise a sprawling collective that is impossible to keep track of. Further to that, I just havent seen nearly enough from tennis players throughout this period to trust them to self-regulate and adhere to the process.

 

[duaneeo]

Federer is licking his lips like it's Christmas morning

Why Federer and not Nadal?

 

[TennisManiac]

So Nick Kyrgios isn't going to win the AO?

 

[Bartelby]

I'm pretty sure that the AO and attendant events will go ahead, but the level of restrictions affects profitability so the negotiations will be fraught.

 

[skypadq]

So Nick Kyrgios isn't going to win the AO?

novak djokovic isn't going to win AO

 

[USO]

The fact that the AO would happen without a crowd means that it won't be very profitable, therefore it makes it even more plausible of getting cancelled. If the tournament would have been bringing millions and millions of dollars for Australia then maybe they'd give it a chance, but without crowds there's even less reason for the government to take the chance.

 

[Slowtwitcher]

We are one of the best. the comparisons to Japan and South Korea were poor. There’s a very, very small group of countries that are doing a better job.

I was weighing restarting the economy with virus eradication. Other countries have different relationships with democracy than you guys. I mean... having to ask Border Force for permission to leave the country is Big Brother **** but you guys seem to be ok with it. It would never fly in Europe, for example.

 

[Cashman]

So Nick Kyrgios isn't going to win the AO?

Maybe if they lock everyone out and it goes back to it being the Australian Championships.

 

[Slowtwitcher]

novak djokovic isn't going to win AO

Margaret Court is a lock for the women's title.

 

[socallefty]

no way , djokovic is gonna win agian

If it’s a given that Novak will win it, Australia should just allow players who were COVID positive previously to participate as presumably they are immune. He can win it with a draw of 8 players like the ATP Finals which some claim are almost like a Slam

 

[TennisManiac]

novak djokovic isn't going to win AO

If the AO happens. Novak's not winning it. Don't worry about that.

 

[Bartelby]

She does have God/god on her side.

Margaret Court is a lock for the women's title.

 

[Bartelby]

There will be a crowd, if community transmission remains at zero.

The fact that the AO would happen without a crowd means that it won't be very profitable, therefore it makes it even more plausible of getting cancelled. If the tournament would have been bringing millions and millions of dollars for Australia then maybe they'd give it a chance, but without crowds there's even less reason for the government to take the chance.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

I was weighing restarting the economy with virus eradication. Other countries have different relationships with democracy than you guys. I mean... having to ask Border Force for permission to leave the country is Big Brother **** but you guys seem to be ok with it. It would never fly in Europe, for example.

I love this fear y’all have of big brother, the lack of trust in your government that you think that they’ll lock you all up. It’s the BS we heard from the Murdoch rags and right wing here when Victoria did it and now look, 2 weeks without a case. It worked. It was tough but it worked and thousands of lives were saved and now other states can host events with 50,000 people while America is crumbling with over 100,000 cases a day, Italy is back up to 600 deaths a day and most of Europe are in their second wave. And then let’s not even start on the UK or South America.
You people fear your government more than you fear this virus, it’s crazy. And the fact that so many countries and it’s citizens were stubborn are the reason thousands are dying.

 

[Cashman]

I was weighing restarting the economy with virus eradication. Other countries have different relationships with democracy than you guys. I mean... having to ask Border Force for permission to leave the country is Big Brother **** but you guys seem to be ok with it. It would never fly in Europe, for example.

Got nothing to do with attitudes to democracy. Strong border controls and strict biosecurity requirements are just a way of life when you live in an island nation with a small population and a unique and fragile ecosystem.

Most indices rank Australia as one of the most democratic countries in the world - well above most of Europe bar Scandinavia.

 

[Slowtwitcher]

I love this fear y’all have of big brother, the lack of trust in your government that you think that they’ll lock you all up. It’s the BS we heard from the Murdoch rags and right wing here when Victoria did it and now look, 2 weeks without a case. It worked. It was tough but it worked and thousands of lives were saved and now other states can host events with 50,000 people while America is crumbling with over 100,000 cases a day, Italy is back up to 600 deaths a day and most of Europe are in their second wave. And then let’s not even start on the UK or South America.
You people fear your government more than you fear this virus, it’s crazy. And the fact that so many countries and it’s citizens were stubborn are the reason thousands are dying.

What do you mean with "you people"?

Anyway, asking the government to leave the country is real anti-democracy BS.

 

[James P]

Move it to South America...permanently

 

[Slowtwitcher]

Got nothing to do with attitudes to democracy. Strong border controls and strict biosecurity requirements are just a way of life when you live in an island nation with a small population and a unique and fragile ecosystem.

Most indices rank Australia as one of the most democratic countries in the world - well above most of Europe bar Scandinavia.

Probably because you have elections every year.

Sorry to tell you mate, but asking the government to leave the country is the kind of stuff that was common in the Eastern Block during the Cold War. Just fact.

 

[Cashman]

Probably because you have elections every year.

Sorry to tell you mate, but asking the government to leave the country is the kind of stuff that was common in the Eastern Block during the Cold War. Just fact.

Mostly just because we're awesome.

Most Australians wouldn't even be aware that we can't leave the country right now - mostly because nobody wants to leave. It's great here! When I knock off work in a couple of hours, I'm headed to the beach.

 

[aus89]

Probably because you have elections every year.

Sorry to tell you mate, but asking the government to leave the country is the kind of stuff that was common in the Eastern Block during the Cold War. Just fact.

In unprecedented circumstances yeah - a poorly attempted effort to steal an election from a washed up reality tv star and a cabal of dodgy lawyers and more than 200,000 people dead is real democracy i guess?

 

[Slowtwitcher]

Mostly just because we're awesome.

Most Australians wouldn't even be aware that we can't leave the country right now - mostly because nobody wants to leave. It's great here! 25 degrees and sunny, I'm off to the beach in a couple of hours.

Beautiful country! Full of Australians though...

 

[Slowtwitcher]

In unprecedented circumstances yeah - a poorly attempted effort to steal an election from a washed up reality tv star and a cabal of dodgy lawyers and more than 200,000 people dead is real democracy i guess?

Now why would you think that? If you assumed I was Slovak I'd understand...

 

[USO]

Mostly just because we're awesome.

Most Australians wouldn't even be aware that we can't leave the country right now - mostly because nobody wants to leave. It's great here! When I knock off work in a couple of hours, I'm headed to the beach.

Hopefully no massive forest fires anymore, that was horrible to watch in the news.