After such horrendous 2020,it was kind of normal to be expected, that the 2021 Calendar for both ATP and WTA will be made available late and close to new season resuming. In the last couple of days it was finally revealed, but not the whole one – just the first 7 weeks of it

What we know for sure is that the Australian Open will indeed take place with a start date of 8^th of February

“This will be an historic Australian Open on so many levels,” Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley said.

 

“For the first time in more than 100 years the Australian Open will start in February and we look forward to offering the players what we believe will be one of their best playing experiences in 2021.

“From the outset, ensuring players have the best possible preparation for the Australian Open, while at all times protecting the precious COVID-free environment that the Victorian community has built through incredible sacrifice and hard work over the past six months, has been paramount.

“It has taken eight months of working alongside government authorities, here in Victoria, nationally and interstate, to give us the opportunity to present an Australian Open that will play a major role in both the economic and psychological reinvigoration and rejuvenation of Melbourne and Victoria.

“AO 2021 is going to be all about supporting local businesses – our tennis coaches, the farmers, food and wine producers, chefs, artists and musicians – and celebrating everything that is great about our country, as well as providing opportunities to those who’ve been so hard hit during the pandemic, particularly in Melbourne and Victoria.”

 

The tournament’s Qualifying however will take place offshore with the Men competing in Doha, while the Women in Abu Dhabi. The dates for this competition – 9-13 January. All 16 qualifiers from each draw and handful of lucky losers will then travel to Melbourne and start the mandatory 14 day quarantine.

Due to the necessary quarantine, there are no scheduled tournaments in the second half of January, but those who are already in by direct acceptance can warm-up elsewhere just after new year and then travel to the land down under.

Tournaments announced so far for ATP are as it follows :

 

Delray Beach in The USA and Antalya in Turkey will kick off the season and 2 tune-up 250 tournaments will be played simultaneously in Melbourne alongside shortened version of ATP Cup as well.

The ATP cup will be held with 12 teams instead of 24 with shorter time frame and only in one city instead of 3 in the prior year due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

 

The WTA on other hand will kick off their season in Abu Dhabi, in a newly created event and their schedule for the first 7 weeks of the year matches the ATP one with the exception that they have 1 less tournament after new year, but will host one during the 2^nd week of Australian Open

 

 

 

Notable tournament cancellations/postponements so far are :

• Indian wells pulled the plug early due to California covid restrictions that goes beyond their initial 8-21 March dates. They however still may move and host the tournament after US Open,if some floating rumors on social media have some truth in them
• ATP Pune,Auckland,New York all are cancelled for 2021 with ATP Rio still in lookout for potential move from their 15^th of February initial date.
• WTA Brisbane,Auckland,Shenzhen,Hobart and Thailand Open all were cancelled with St.Petersburg and Doha which were due to start on 8^th and 15^th of February respectively will be looking for new dates,due to the re-schedule of Australian Open

 

More on the calendar and changes will make sure to update you when it happens