Australian Open 2021 to cost whopping ₹609 CR, recovery from COVID-19 to take '5 years'

After many months of speculation about fate of first Grand Slam of 2021, Tennis Australia has anunced dates for Australian Open 2021. marquee hardcourt event is set to have a delayed start and with possibility of a reduced audience under se unusual circumstances, will set back Tennis Australia by a huge amount. With one TV brocast deal alrey on verge of falling through, organizers have anunced that y will have to borrow heavily to pay for next year's tournament. 

Also Re | vak Djokovic Will Outlast Rafael Nal, Roger Federer In Grand Slams Race: Tim Henman

How much will Australian Open 2021 cost?

Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley has anunced Australian Open dates for 2021. After many disagreements with Victoria State government - under whose jurisdiction  Australian Open's venue of Melbourne Park falls, it seems that Grand Slam will, as speculated, have a delayed start. “It’s been a while, but great news is it looks like we are going to be able to hold AO on February 8” re a statement by Tiley. 

This delay is set to cost organizers heavily. Under rules set forth by medical professionals and state government, Tennis Australia will be shelling out an extraordinary amount of money to maintain safety standards for players and fans. This includes paying for charter flights for players, covering accommodation and living costs and cost of testing. All this is expected to come to about $40 million (AUD) (₹219 crores). TA is also expected to pay out ir full prize money purse of $71 million (₹390 crores). 

Also Re | Roger Federer Accused By German Official Of 'manipulating' ATP Rankings System For Himself

According to reports by  and  Sydney Morning Herald, Tiley has written a letter to local press/players saying, “We expect that we will use majority of our reserves in maintaining funding to sport and playing group. As a result, we are exploring options for a line of credit and/or a loan which will allow us to maintain cash flow at critical times and support us in recovery from impacts of pandemic once access to government subsidies have ended". Highlighting verse effect of pandemic, he also ded that "recovery from pandemic will take up to five years.”

Also Re | vak Djokovic Net Worth: How Much Did World .1 Earn From Tennis In 2020?

Rules for Australian Open 2021

Considering steep fall in Melbourne coronavirus cases and effort that has gone behind controlling it, Victoria State government has put stringent rules in place for Australian Open. Players will fly into Melbourne between January 15 and 17. A 14-day quarantine period will start once all players have flown in. Players will be allowed to train for five hours a day once y return a negative test on Day 2 and will be allowed to bring just one or person to court with m. re will be four more tests before start of tournament.

Also Re | Rafael Nal Likely To Usurp Top Tennis Hour Held By Roger Federer Over Years

Im Credits: AP