Aussies cancel Kooyong event as COVID brings Melbourne to a halt

Australia’s warm-up event, the Kooyong Classic has been called off because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The traditional pre-Australian event in Melbourne for men and women, is normally played in the week before the Grand Slam in January.

“We’ve made the big decision to push the pause button on the Kooyong Classic for 2021,” Australia tennis officials said.

“With everyone’s safety first and foremost in mind, and still so much uncertainty over the outlook for the rest of 2020 and beyond, we feel that this is the right thing to do.”

Melbourne is currently under lockdown because of a second wave of the virus.

Tennis Australia chief Craig Tiley said contingencies were in place, with reduced seating due to social distancing, players in a bio-security “bubble” and the likelihood of no overseas spectators.