Sydney could be used as loophole to skirt 2022 Australian Open vaccination mandates

The city of Sydney has emerged as a potential outlet that would allow Tennis Australia to welcome unvaccinated players into the country, hence ensuring their participation at next year's Australian Open.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has previously made it clear he would not be seeking exemptions for unvaccinated players which would allow them to fly into Melbourne for the first grand slam of the year, but New South Wales has so far refrained from closing the door on unvaccinated stars.

Sources with knowledge of the situation have told the Sydney Morning Herald that Tennis Australia is exploring the possibility of bringing overseas players to NSW and hosting almost all the Australian Open lead-up tournaments, including the ATP Cup, in Sydney.

After unvaccinated players completed 14 days in hotel quarantine and compete in lead up tournaments, they would then be free to join vaccinated players and travel to Victoria for the Australian Open, which begins on January 17.

Tennis Australia is expected to reveal its summer schedule by the end of the week.