These last few weeks have been interesting trying to follow what will happen with the Australian Open and who will be allowed in or not. There were lots of reports that only 30-50% of the ATP and WTA players were vaccinated and with Australian Health officials saying that only fully vaccinated players would be allowed to enter it looked like there might be a weaker field this year.

Since those reports there have been other reports that seem to note that the percentage of fully vaccinated players is a lot higher than first sensationalised. There are also reports that Australia will let unvaccinated players in as long as they do a 2 week hotel quarantine. This could be very interesting to see if it affects players performance as there would be the likes of Djokovic ( if he does not get vaccinated) who would have to isolate for the 2 weeks before playing. Last year was interesting when it ended up being that some of those who were in quarantine in Adelaide still had many freedoms compared to those in Melbourne.

Djokovic has almost become part of the furniture at the Australian Open having won the tournament countless times. It sure would be a shock and a shame not to see him part of it.. but time will tell what the outcome will be.

It really does feel a bit of de ja vu one… when we were in this predicament last year when it was not clear if the tournament would go ahead, how it would go ahead etc… finally it did, albeit delayed and with limited spectators. This year it seems that all the spectators will be back and there will be much more freedoms for the players ( at least those vaccinated ones). We will all watch eagerly to see how it plays out with the verdict on weather players can enter Australia if they are not vaccinated.. and if they are, how the treatment of them will differ to those who are fully vaccinated.

Bring on the Tennis!