The Kooyong Classic, a major Australian Open warm-up event usually played in the weeks leading up to the year's first Grand Slam, has been cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Confusion reigns over whether unvaccinated players will be permitted to compete at next year’s Australian Open after a leaked email contradicted past statements made by the Australian and Victoria Governments.

Tennis players who are not fully vaccinated against coronavirus in time for the Australian Open will be denied entry into the country, it has been confirmed.

World number one and 20-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic has cast doubt over whether he will defend his men’s singles title at the Australian Open after refusing to reveal his vaccination status.

Golf Australia has been forced to cancel the men’s and women’s Australian Open tournaments due to travel and quarantine restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

British tennis star Sir Andy Murray said he would welcome stricter restrictions on players who are not fully vaccinated against coronavirus in time for next year’s Australian Open.

The Sports Minister of Victoria, Martin Pakula, has urged tennis players to get vaccinated against COVID-19 if they want to play in the Australian Open next year.

Organisers of the Australian Open in Melbourne are reportedly considering introducing a COVID-19 vaccine mandate in a move which could prevent a number of the top players from participating at the first tennis Grand Slam of the year.

Sportspeople have been included on a list of workers from Australian state Victoria that are required to have two doses of a coronavirus vaccine by the end of November.

Players who plan to compete at next year's Australian Open in Melbourne will face tougher measures if they are not vaccinated against COVID-19, they have been warned.

Naomi Osaka is now the player to beat on the Women’s Tennis Association circuit. 

Tournament director Craig Tiley has claimed he received "significant" verbal abuse and was getting "hammered" when organising the Australian Open against the backdrop of a global health crisis - so much so that he moved his family away from their home.

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic captured his ninth Australian Open men’s singles title and the 18th Grand Slam crown of his career with a comprehensive victory over Russia’s Daniil Medvedev.