Brisbane International could face cancellation ahead of Australian Open due to pandemic

The organizers of the Brisbane International are currently facing the possibility of their event being cancelled, as the coronavirus pandemic continues to ravage in Australia.

The Brisbane tournament is an important lead-up to the Australian Open, but was cancelled in 2021 after officials and players agreed to host the entire summer of tennis in Melbourne. However, it looks like the event may be cancelled again next year as another Covid-19 outbreak has sent organizers scrambling.

"While the door is still ajar for 2022, it is a challenge with the current health advice,” said tournament director Mark Handley. “Three weeks from now we are normally beginning the bump-in. Brisbane is part of the lead-in tours to the Australian Open and we want to continue to be a part of that.

“We’ve been a major venue in hosting international players for 11 years. Last year we could not get it off the ground, but we are hopeful we can this year and we are hopeful that we can for another 11 years leading into the Olympics.

“It is a challenge, but we’re hopeful because we know how important the event is to Brisbane."

The Brisbane International was conceived in 2009 and ran until 2019, when the men's-only event known as the ATP Cup was created. Subsequently, the event became an elite women's tournament, and was often used as a warm-up for the first Grand Slam of the season.