ATP Tour on Thursday released an update of its calendar for 2021 revising the first seven weeks of the season and announced that the Australian Open will kick-off on February 8, three weeks later than scheduled.

The main draw of the Australian Open was originally about to commence on January 18, however, the organisers of Tennis Australia have been in drawn-out negotiations with local government over Covid-19 health measures.

Tennis Australia was not immediately available for comment.&nbsp;

According to ATP release, men’s qualifying for the Australian Open would take place in Doha from January 10-13 before players relocated to Melbourne to enter quarantine.

The ATP tournament that was supposed to be held in Adelaide but has been moved to Melbourne to be played in the week commencing January 31 alongisde another men’s tournament in the city.

A shortened version of the ATP Cup men’s team tournament will take place in Melbourne from February 1-5 before the Grand Slam begins on the following Monday.

The Tennis season will kickoff with tournaments in Delray Beach, Florida and Antalya in Turkey before preparations for Melbourne Park begin.

ATP Tour on Thursday released an update of its calendar for 2021 revising the first seven weeks of the season and announced that the Australian Open will kick-off on February 8, three weeks later than scheduled.

ATP Tour on Thursday released an update of its calendar for 2021 revising the first seven weeks of the season and announced that the Australian Open will kick-off on February 8, three weeks later than scheduled. The main draw of the Australian Open was originally about to commence on January 18, however, the organisers of Tennis Australia have been in drawn-out negotiations with local government over Covid-19 health measures. Tennis Australia was not immediately available for comment. According to ATP release, men’s qualifying for the Australian Open would take place in Doha from January 10-13 before players relocated to Melbourne to enter quarantine. The ATP tournament that was supposed to be held in Adelaide but has been moved to Melbourne to be played in the week commencing January 31 alongisde another men’s tournament in the city. A shortened version of the ATP Cup men’s team tournament will take place in Melbourne from February 1-5 before the Grand Slam begins on the following Monday. The Tennis season will kickoff with tournaments in Delray Beach, Florida and Antalya in Turkey before preparations for Melbourne Park begin.

Australian Open to commence on February 8: ATP

Novak Djokovic battled with a lower back injury as he claimed his 11th round of 16 appearance at the Australian Open on Saturday.

The six-time champion advanced with a clear-cut 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 win over Spanish 21st seed Albert Ramos-Vinolas in 2hr 21min on Margaret Court Arena.

But there was concern in the Serb&#39;s camp when the former world No.1 sought a medical timeout early in the second set for treatment to his lower back.

Djokovic, looking for matches after six months out with right elbow trouble, will next face South Korea&#39;s Chung Hyeon in Sunday&#39;s fourth round after he shocked Alexander Zverev.

The injury was a fresh concern for the 12-time Grand Slam champion, whose ranking has slipped to 14 after an inactive second half of 2017.

But Djokovic was workmanlike as broke the Spaniard`s serve five times, although his errors outnumbered his winners 40-37.

&quot;It was a straight sets win, but it was almost two-and-a-half hours, so it wasn`t that easy and comfortable on the court,&quot; Djokovic said.

&quot;I knew coming into the match that he was a great fighter, he grinds it out and gets a lot of balls back.

&quot;Obviously for me it`s taking it one match at a time but I have to be more humble with my expectations as I haven`t played in the last six months.

&quot;But I am very pleased where my game is at.&quot;

 
Should Djokovic beat Chung he is facing a potential quarter-final against Austria`s fifth seed Dominic Thiem, who must first get past American surprise packet Tennys Sandgren on Monday.

Djokovic battled with a lower back injury as he claimed his 11th round

Novak Djokovic battled with a lower back injury as he claimed his 11th round of 16 appearance at the Australian Open on Saturday. The six-time champion advanced with a clear-cut 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 win over Spanish 21st seed Albert Ramos-Vinolas in 2hr 21min on Margaret Court Arena. But there was concern in the Serb's camp when the former world No.1 sought a medical timeout early in the second set for treatment to his lower back. Djokovic, looking for matches after six months out with right elbow trouble, will next face South Korea's Chung Hyeon in Sunday's fourth round after he shocked Alexander Zverev. The injury was a fresh concern for the 12-time Grand Slam champion, whose ranking has slipped to 14 after an inactive second half of 2017. But Djokovic was workmanlike as broke the Spaniard`s serve five times, although his errors outnumbered his winners 40-37. "It was a straight sets win, but it was almost two-and-a-half hours, so it wasn`t that easy and comfortable on the court," Djokovic said. "I knew coming into the match that he was a great fighter, he grinds it out and gets a lot of balls back. "Obviously for me it`s taking it one match at a time but I have to be more humble with my expectations as I haven`t played in the last six months. "But I am very pleased where my game is at." Should Djokovic beat Chung he is facing a potential quarter-final against Austria`s fifth seed Dominic Thiem, who must first get past American surprise packet Tennys Sandgren on Monday.

Novak Djokovic powers into 11th Aussie Open fourth round

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Australian Open to commence on February 8: ATP

Novak Djokovic powers into 11th Aussie Open fourth round