The first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open, is going to be held on February 8 after being pushed back by 3 weeks. All the world’s top players, including Novak Djokovic and Ashleigh Barty, have been signed. This time, the Grand Slam will be played in front of 50% of the normal spectator, news agency AFP reported.

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On Thursday, Federer and Serena’s names were among the entries that were announced for the Australian Open. The tournament is much-anticipated after the coronavirus disrupted its schedule.

There was some confusion over whether Roger Federer would be participating after two rounds of knee surgery. He had been warned that he is in a “race against time” to be fit. US top Serena Williams, who like Roger Federer, is turning 40 next year, won her last major at Australia while she was pregnant in 2017.

Roger Federer had already begun training in Dubai and is ready to play at Melbourne Park as he aims for a seventh title. Similarly, Williams too attempts to level up to Margaret Court- who was a 24-time Grand Slam champion.

“There are so many great storylines for AO 2021,” said Craig Tiley, the tournament director.

“Serena is gunning for her eighth title while Novak, who often seems invincible at Melbourne Park, is going for a record ninth title.”

“Our own world No.1 Ash Barty will return to Grand Slam competition, as will Roger Federer as he comes back from injury.”, he added.

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There has been a lot of planning that has gone behind organizing the tournament. Due to the extraordinary circumstances, all the players have to go through a 14- day quarantine on arrival. They will also be tested for COVID-19 during their quarantine period. They will be allowed to train for five hours a day but only inside a bio-secure bubble.

“Although the AO will look a bit different to previous years, the safety of everyone is our top priority,” said Tiley.

“We have the opportunity to stage a very safe, and happy Slam, and give the players the experience of competing in front of crowds again, something they’ve missed for most of this year.”

From January 10-13, the qualifiers will be held in Doha and Dubai. The players will be arriving in Melbourne from January 15 on special charter flights. Once the players are out of isolation, the 12-team ATP Cup, the relocated Adelaide International, and an ATP 250 tournament will be played. Melbourne Park is also supposed to hold two WTA 500 tournaments from January 31 to February 7.

After the second wave of COVID-19 in Melbourne, it was only in October that the city emerged from a months-long lockdown. This made planning for the Grand Slam more complicated. The tournament director had expressed that he vows for a “happy Slam” after days of planning. Although Australia has successfully contained the coronavirus, a new outbreak in Sydney last week has sparked a sense of cautiousness. New restrictions have been declared in parts of Melbourne and even state border closures.