The Australian Open will proceed behind closed doors without crowd over the next five days after the state of Victoria was placed under lockdown from Friday to contain a fresh outbreak of COVID-19.
Premier Daniel Andrews announced the lockdown will start from 11.59pm local time on Friday following a cluster of 13 coronavirus cases linked to the Holiday Inn hotel at Melbourne Airport.
All of the infections were linked to the highly contagious UK variant; but Australian Open will proceed without spectators.
The tournament had been played for the opening five days in front of a reduced spectators but it will now continue behind closed doors with Victorians having been told to stay at home.
Spectators will be allowed on the grounds for Friday’s play which will see Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic, Dominic Thiem and Naomi Osaka in action, Sky sports reports.
