Flying in a bio bubble and using chartered jets may be the new normal for superstars of world tennis as they prepare for the Australian Open in 2021.
The first month of the new year usually sees action from Melbourne’s famous tennis arenas named after Rod Laver and Margaret Court. Even though Melbourne is virtually Covid-19 free after having undergone two 14-day cycles of zero positive cases, nothing is being left to chance.
As of now, it appears the Australian Open, the season’s first Grand Slam, will be held from February 8, though many details are yet to be worked out. Before that, the plan is to fly out the players from Dubai, between January 15 and 16 on private jets. On arrival in Melbourne, the players will be in quarantine for two weeks and undergo repeated testing for Covid-19 repeatedly.
The same pattern had been followed for the IPL, ongoing cricket tours, and Formula One, where very recently even Lewis Hamilton tested positive.
As of now, there is a lot of ambiguity about the Australian Open as none knows what are the warm-up or lead-up ATP and WTA events which will be held before the Grand Slam. It is being speculated a few events may be held in Melbourne itself but clarity has not emerged.
Speaking to this website, Indian doubles tennis star Rohan Bopanna said he had resumed training in December but the uncertainty is still huge. He did well in the US Open, played in the bio bubble and also the French Open.
At 40, Bopanna is motivated and hoping he can do well in the new season. Players are very anxious to know about the schedules as the better part of the 2020 season was devastated by Corona virus. “The Olympic year will be challenging and I look forward to doing well. There is uncertainty but I am hopeful matters will be sorted out soon,” Bopanna told this website.
Many leading women tennis players who are also moms are concerned about the restrictions which will be in place. Someone like Serena Williams has hinted she will travel Down Under. However, the restriction on one coach per player is going to be difficult to accept.
The big players carry, especially in the ladies section, a big entourage. It includes coach, physio, in some cases masseur and even a family member. How the players will be negotiating all this in coming weeks will be interesting to watch. Sania Mirza has also resumed training so it will be interesting to see if she also flies out.
It is not about playing just the Grand Slam but also preparing for it via tournaments. Novak Djokovic is in full training and hungry for the 2021 season. Whether King Rafael Nadal will fly to Melbourne remains to be seen.
Mr. S. Kannan
Senior, Sports Journalist
