Australian Open confirmed to start on Feb 8

The Australian Open will start on 8 February, three weeks later than scheduled, organisers confirmed on Saturday after months of speculation over the first Grand Slam of 2021.

The Australian Open will start on 8 February, three weeks later than scheduled, organisers confirmed on Saturday after months of speculation over the first Grand Slam of 2021.

The start date of the main draw of the tournament was originally slated for 18 January and organisers have been locked in drawn-out negotiations with local government over Covid-19 health security measures.

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The state of Victoria on Saturday recorded a 50th straight day without a case of community transmitted Covid-19 but many health restrictions remain in place in Melbourne and international travel into Australia is still strictly limited.