Australian (Open) Tennis and COVID-19

[Must...Fly!]

Absolutely worth it IMO.
We held a quality event and received some really good PR with the players actually becoming emotional when speaking about the event. We also picked up a WTA event after the AO finishes so hopefully that is well attended and supported also

Geez $40m doesn't get you much

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Nope, they are no longer in a bubble and have been “released” into the general public. Serena was at the zoo and dining out in town and Rafa was spotted down at the Glenelg. A couple of players are doing some Barossa wine tours and sightseeing before heading to Melbourne.
The bubble for other sports was a requirement because they played and moved across multiple states, the tennis players are in SA then Victoria only

Not just that, the other sports had ongoing bubbles as there were still community cases about, or much higher probability that it could pop up again and moreso as many had long seasons compared to the relatively short open.

Add to that that most were team sports, and that a case at a club could take that whole team out of two to three rounds and thus potentially make the competition not viable.

Whereas in Tennis being singles and doubles if a player or two did catch the virus the players would isolate, but the competition most likely would roll on.

 

[jakeseven7]

Geez $40m doesn't get you much

Adelaide will also get certain benefits in 2022 for their trouble don’t you worry.

 

[Anna]

What do the SA residents now think about the $40m fee paid by SA Govt to TA to get a few sets of tennis in Adelaide. Worth it?

I loved the event. I'm (naively?) trusting the SA govt crunched its numbers to ensure it was financially worthwhile. For the whole 2 weeks there was a real buzz around the area where the players were staying and training, and I'm quite missing that now they've gone

If I was going to quibble about anything about the event, it would be the stadium announcer who described Rafa as the entree and Barty as the main course. Sorry, I love Ash and I was pleased to see her play, even underdone as she clearly was, but she is in no way yet and probably will not ever be the legendary champion that Rafa is and will continue to be regarded as for a very long time even after he retires. If anything, it was main course and dessert, not entree and main course. (It was a pretty stupid analogy anyway )

 

[Pushka]

I loved the event. I'm (naively?) trusting the SA govt crunched its numbers to ensure it was financially worthwhile. For the whole 2 weeks there was a real buzz around the area where the players were staying and training, and I'm quite missing that now they've gone

If I was going to quibble about anything about the event, it would be the stadium announcer who described Rafa as the entree and Barty as the main course. Sorry, I love Ash and I was pleased to see her play, even underdone as she clearly was, but she is in no way yet and probably will not ever be the legendary champion that Rafa is and will continue to be regarded as for a very long time even after he retires. If anything, it was main course and dessert, not entree and main course. (It was a pretty stupid analogy anyway )

I’m pleased North Adelaide residents enjoyed it then. Have you heard from Ann Moran?

 

[jase05]

I’m pleased North Adelaide residents enjoyed it then. Have you heard from Ann Moran?

It’s hard to gauge the financial gain but there were plenty of folk that had travelled from the country and many like ourselves stayed in town so the hotels saw some benefit. Many restaurants in town were packed before and after the event and the city was buzzing. It was great to see the CBD so busy over the last couple of days. Have picked up a WTA tour event after the AO and will more than likely lead to similar events in the future. I guess only the bean counters will know if it’s worth it or not

 

[Anna]

Have you heard from Ann Moran?

No but if you want I can ask her husband what she thinks when I see him next at Pilates

 

[tomlee1986]

Now with the hotel case linked to Australian open... i think it is time to shut this tournament down... i know it is one case but the hotel quarantine is still the issue - with so many players around the world, the risk is still too high

 

[Anna]

Tennys Sandgren, who was 'shedding' yet grumbled and moaned his way through quarantine, has lost in the first round in straight sets - to an Australian (De Minaur)

 

[TheRealTMA]

Tennys Sandgren, who was 'shedding' yet grumbled and moaned his way through quarantine, has lost in the first round in straight sets - to an Australian (De Minaur)

Such a shame, do not pass go, collect $100k, go home. Hard life.

 

[Anna]

Such a shame, do not pass go, collect $100k, go home. Hard life.

He's not going home yet, he's in the doubles. At least another $30K prize money even if he loses in the first round there too.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Kyrgios about to lose?!

 

[jakeseven7]

Must say very impressed with the AO, how it’s running so far.

 

[moa999]

Kyrgios about to lose?!

That aged well

 

[drron]

Kyrgios about to lose?!

No he wasn't.Great comeback but I wish he could control his emotions a little better.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

That aged well

Lol, yep. A break back, then tie breaker mini breaks, then another break to seal the deal.

Edit: good to see a few following the action on the court.

 

[Anna]

Yesterday at 12 noon tickets went on sale for the Adelaide International, a WTA event starting after the Aus Open on 22 February. Then the govt closed the border with Vic.

I can't find any info about what is going to happen with the tennis event. Will the players get quarantine exemptions? Will the event be cancelled? Glad I didn't buy any tickets!

 

[Must...Fly!]

Yesterday at 12 noon tickets went on sale for the Adelaide International, a WTA event starting after the Aus Open on 22 February. Then the govt closed the border with Vic.

I can't find any info about what is going to happen with the tennis event. Will the players get quarantine exemptions? Will the event be cancelled? Glad I didn't buy any tickets!

Of course they'll get exemptions

 

[jakeseven7]

Yesterday at 12 noon tickets went on sale for the Adelaide International, a WTA event starting after the Aus Open on 22 February. Then the govt closed the border with Vic.

I can't find any info about what is going to happen with the tennis event. Will the players get quarantine exemptions? Will the event be cancelled? Glad I didn't buy any tickets!

I suspect it will blow over, the containment rings, rapid response units and contact tracers will do their work, like they have the last 4-5 times and the 3 SA amigos can take a valium each and figure out a way to make it happen. In a way I’m not sure the SA government deserves it anymore but we will see!

Hopefully they do (selfishly) because we have lots of people attending it!

 

[SydneySwan]

Of course they'll get exemptions

Why should they? They are not in a bubble anymore but mingling with the hoi polloi.