WASHINGTON, December 25, 2020 (by Michael Dickens)
All of the Top 100 men and 98 of the Top 100 women are provisionally entered for the 2021 Australian Open beginning February 8 in Melbourne.
The provisional entry lists for both the men’s and women’s singles draws have been released and if Roger Federer is healthy enough to play, it would be the first time the men’s Big Three – Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic – has played together in a major since the 2020 Australian Open. Meanwhile, the only two women missing from the Top 100 are No. 84 Carla Suárez Navarro, who is undergoing treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma, and No. 89 Taylor Townsend, who is pregnant with her first child. The Australian Open will mark the return of women’s World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty, who has not played in a WTA tournament since Doha last February.
“We are looking forward to welcoming the world’s best players to Melbourne and what promises to be a spectacular Australian Open following a year of disruption on a scale none of us has ever experienced before,” Tennis Australia chief executive and Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said Thursday in a statement posted on the Australian Open website. “Although the AO will look a bit different to previous years, the safety of everyone is our top priority.
“We have the opportunity to stage a very safe, and happy Slam, and give the players the experience of competing in front of crowds again, something they’ve missed for most of this year.”
Among the Top 10 men entered are World No. 1 Djokovic, who will be the top seed, plus: World No. 2 Nadal; No. 3 Dominic Thiem, No. 4 Daniil Medvedev, No. 5 Federer, No. 6 Stefanos Tsitsipas, No. 7 Alexander Zverev, No. 8 Andrey Rublev, No. 9 Diego Schwartzman and No. 10 Matteo Berrettini.
Joining Barty among the women’s Top 10 are: World No. 2 Simona Halep, No. 3 Naomi Osaka, No. 4 Sofia Kenin, No. 5 Elina Svitolina, No. 6 Karolina Pliskova, No. 7 Bianca Andreescu, No. 8 Petra Kvitova, No. 9 Kiki Bertens and No. 10 Aryna Sabalenka.
“There are so many great storylines for AO 2021,” Tiley said. “Serena (Williams) is gunning for her eighth AO title while Novak (Djokovic), who often seems invincible at Melbourne Park, is going for a record ninth title. Our own world No. 1 Ash Barty will return to Grand Slam competition, as will Roger Federer as he comes back from injury. And there’s a new crop of rising stars coming up to challenge them all.
“It’s going to be a great few weeks of tennis here in Melbourne.”
2021 Australian Open men’s and women’s provisional entry lists
The Bryan Brothers: Coming to Delray Beach
Bob and Mike Bryan will play in the ATP Champions event at the Delray Beach Open Open, January 4-6. The Bryans won the Delray Beach Open six times, including last February in their last ATP Tour appearance.
— Randy Walker (@TennisPublisher) December 23, 2020
Seen working out at the Chris Evert Academy
Look who I just bumped into.. training hard for the Aussie Open..Impressed with their work ethic and their cheekiness…😂😘😇🤫 pic.twitter.com/iFhnXa1OmU
— Chris Evert (@ChrissieEvert) December 23, 2020
Holiday wishes from Rod Laver
I’m looking forward to the @AustralianOpen and seeing fans in the stands once more. Cheer loudly, wherever you are, it means everything to a player. Wishing everyone a happy and safe Christmas and all the very best for the new year and a brighter new season in ’21. 🚀 pic.twitter.com/EgzSxF8BBj
— Rod Laver (@rodlaver) December 23, 2020
Bjorn Borg: Finding joy in the tennis word
FILA Brand Ambassador Bjorn Borg is taking the positives from what has been a challenging year for many in the tennis community 🙏🎾#FILAtennis pic.twitter.com/g7AW2FdM1u
— FILA Tennis (@FILAtennis) December 22, 2020
Remembering Leo Levin
Leo Levin’s pioneering work in tennis data analysis shaped the way the sport is interpreted by players and fans alike, and introduced ‘unforced error’ to the sporting lexicon
Obituary: https://t.co/n8Bhx3sWDk pic.twitter.com/bJOM8HjJlG
— ITF (@ITFTennis) December 24, 2020
What they’re writing
Tennis Major‘s Chris Oddo shares how the organizers of the upcoming Delray Beach Open are embracing the uncertainty of the 2021 tennis season.
“Let’s do this!”
Why Delray Beach has bitten the bullet to be the first tournament of 2021 🌎 https://t.co/B3MgEAinmN
— Tennis Majors (@Tennis_Majors) December 22, 2020
What they’re podcasting
On this week’s Tennis.com Podcast, hosts Nina Pantic and Irina Falconi welcome Judy Murray and co-producer of “Driving Force” Rosemary Reed, who are advocates for women in sports and film.
Take a listen to the latest episode to hear from @JudyMurray and her “Driving Force” docuseries co-producer Rosemary Reed.
They talk about women in sports, British Olympic athletes, Andy and Jamie Murray, and much more. https://t.co/Wg3rhsoIMU pic.twitter.com/LWkmK9A5Vo
— Nina Pantic (@NinaPantic1) December 21, 2020
What they’re sharing on social media
Stefanos Tsitsipas / Getting his reps in on the sand
Getting those reps in on the beach 💪@StefTsitsipas‘ preseason training looks exhausting just watching it 🥵 pic.twitter.com/mxXzEssYFc
— Mouratoglou Tennis Academy (@MouratoglouAcad) December 22, 2020
Caroline Wozniacki / Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone! 🎄 pic.twitter.com/NuuY7e5IfY
— Caroline Wozniacki (@CaroWozniacki) December 24, 2020
Fabio Fognini, Grigor Dimitrov / Merry Christmas everyone!
Merry Christmas Eve everyone from Mr. @grigordimitrov and myself! 🎄🎾🎅🏻#christmas pic.twitter.com/oqkvq35CA8
— Fabio Fognini (@fabiofogna) December 24, 2020
More Merry Christmas around the world!
Alizé Cornet / Joyeux Noël mes amis
Joyeux Noël mes amis 🎄🎁🎅
Merry Christmas my friends 🎄🎁🎅 pic.twitter.com/lKXB2RqdB8— Alize Cornet (@alizecornet) December 24, 2020
Angelique Kerber / Happy Holidays everyone!
Merry Christmas to all of you! Let’s unite our ❤️ in times of social distancing and uncertainty🎄happy holidays everyone 🌟 pic.twitter.com/5qk6hO8ImA
— Angelique Kerber (@AngeliqueKerber) December 24, 2020
Karolina Pliskova / Krásné a veselé Vánoce!
Krásné a veselé Vánoce!
——
Merry Christmas! pic.twitter.com/ui5J2J8VRD— Karolina Pliskova (@KaPliskova) December 24, 2020
Iga Swiatek / Thank you for all the support. 🎄
🎄Ja wprawdzie jeszcze na korcie, ale życzę Wam spokojnych Świąt w możliwie rodzinnym gronie. Dziękuję też za całe wsparcie, jakie od was otrzymuję.
Although I’m still on court I want to wish you merry Christmas with your families if possible. Thank you for all the support.🎄 pic.twitter.com/EaGkRgsChE
— Iga Świątek (@iga_swiatek) December 24, 2020
