Conditions could be different for unvaccinated players at next year's Australian Open, says former player Dellacqua

Although the Australian health authorities haven't outright banned unvaccinated players from competing in Australia, they have issued a mandate that states professional athletes must have received both shots of the vaccine by November.

Tennis Australia has yet to outline their final conditions on playing at the tournament, with the covid situation constantly changing in the country. However, there is strong belief that only vaccinated players will be allowed to compete, and if unvaccinated players are allowed into the country, then they'll be under much different health restrictions than those who have gotten the shots.

According to former Australian WTA player Casey Dellacqua, the tournament will be implementing a "health bubble" but there will be competitive opportunities to play.

“We’ve had conversations with the players already and the communication is on the conditions we know currently,” said Dellacqua, who is working as a liaison between WTA players and Tennis Australia. “Obviously the landscape is changing so we hope these conditions will change.

“We know the Australian Open will go ahead during the last two weeks of January and we know there will be a bubble where they will have competitive opportunities to play. But we can only go on what we are working on now.”

Dellacqua refused to give a definite answer when questioned about whether unvaccinated players will be allowed to play. However, the former World No.26 suggested those who are unvaccinated could be allowed to play, although they would be at a disadvantage to those who have gotten the shot.

"Our (Tennis Australia) message to the players is if you want the best conditions, the best piece of advice is go and get vaccinated,” stated Dellacqua. “I think it’s the Tour’s responsibility to take the lead in vaccinations.

“What I can say is the players who are coming out to Australia, the ones who are unvaccinated versus the ones who are vaccinated – their conditions will look quite different.”