Aussie Open date ‘due within 48 hours’

An announcement on the start date for the Australian Open is due within the next 24 to 48 hours, according to Aussie tennis great Todd Woodbridge.

Woodbridge told Sydney’s 2GB radio listeners on Tuesday evening the reported start date of February 8 is still all but guaranteed.

I’ve got a pretty good source that tells me within the next 24 to 48 hours we will have an announcement,” Woodbridge said.

He explained the weeks of delay have been cause by schedule clashes, and the need to discuss each draft with at least five different stakeholders, including the Victorian government.

Tennis Australia has to work with a number of bodies on this. First all the Victorian Government,” he said.

“Then with the two governing bodies … the WTA and the men’s body, the ATP.

“And the ATP is trying to re-schedule its calendar for 2021 as the Indian Wells event in March is all but cancelled.

“So there’s a two week gap to fill and with the Australian being pushed back to February, there’s a lot of planning going on behind the scenes.

“They (TA) have been working rapidly behind the scenes trying to build opportunity for players to play, before signing off on where the Open sits.”