– Roger Federer and Serena Williams have confirmed they will take part in the 2021 Australian Open, with the year’s first Grand Slam in Melbourne expected to allow fans to fill up to 50% of seats, Tennis Australia (TA) boss Craig Tiley said on Sunday.
The return of fans will mark a big change for Melbourne, which has been under a strict coronavirus lockdown for nearly three months. The state of Victoria, of which Melbourne is the capital, accounts for 90% of Australia’s 894 COVID-19-related deaths.
Federer reached the semi-finals of this year’s Australian Open but the 20-times Grand Slam winner has missed the rest of the season after undergoing a second procedure on his right knee.
“Roger this morning just confirmed publicly he’ll be here. Serena Williams will be here obviously trying to get Margaret Court’s record, so we’re excited about the players that will be here and what we’ll put on,” Tiley told Channel Nine.
Federer, 39, said he can’t wait to return to the tour.