WTA to start season on January 4th

The WTA is looking to start the 2021 season on January 4th outside of Australia ahead of the mandatory quarantine at the Australian Open.

It is widely believed that the Australian Open will be pushed back from January 18th so there is room for some events in the meantime before plays are due to travel to Australia to begin mandatory quarantine period. The WTA tour chief Steve Simon told Reuters:

“Obviously the Australian Open will come with a quarantine period to enter Australia so it does create challenges around the month of January. We’re looking right now at hopefully close to finalising in the next week or so the ability to stage some events in the week of Jan. 4 to start the year.”

The WTA was working with all parties involved to come to an understanding which will feature the best possible solution for everybody involved. Simon concluded the interview by saying:

“I think we’re again getting to a good place and we’ll be able to start the year and then transition into Australia and then have a great year."