Australian Open 2021: When is it, how to watch, who is playing, draw, seeds

The Australian Open started a little later in 2021 due to COVID-19, with the first grand slam of the year getting underway on February 8. 

There are still plenty of unknowns around the tournament, but here's everything we know so far. 

WHEN IS THE 2021 AUSTRALIAN OPEN?

The 2021 Australian Open began on Monday February 8th.

It was originally scheduled for a January 18th start, but that was pushed back in order to give the players coming from overseas adequate time to quarantine.

MORE: What on earth is 1573?? | Who is John Cain?

HOW MANY FANS WILL BE ALLOWED AT THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN IN 2021? 

Tournament organisers are hopeful of operating at between 50 and 75 percent of normal capacity over the two week tournament.

2021 AUSTRALIAN OPEN TICKETS

The Australian Open has been forced to drastically change the way ticketing and attendance works in 2021. For the first time ever, fans won't be permitted to roam around the grounds freely. 

Instead, there will be three distinct zones at Melbourne Park, with tickets allowing access to one zone only. Each zone will have distinct entrance and exit points, and you won't be allowed to go from one zone to another. 

Zone One will give you access to Rod Laver Arena, a food and drink area and Grand Slam Oval. Tickets cost $62 for day sessions, and $65 for night sessions. 

Zone Two tickets gets you into Margaret Court Arena, outside courts on the city side of the precinct and Garden Square, where there will be a big screen to watch all the action. Tickets cost $56 for day sessions and $60 for night sessions. 

Zone Three will grant access to John Cain Arena (formerly Melbourne Arena and Hisense Arena), outside courts between Rod Laver and John Cain Arenas, practice zones and a small part of Grand Slam Oval. Tickets cost $49 for weekdays and $59 for weekends. 

In 2021, tickets to John Cain Arena have replaced ground passes. 

“John Cain Arena has hosted some enthralling battles over the years and is a favourite destination for both fans and players,” Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley said.

“As part of our planning to ensure safety for everyone, all fans will require a ticket which includes a stadium seat in one of the three zones, and which also allows access to great food, music and other activations within their specific zone.

You can buy Australian Open tickets here.

WHERE IS THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN HELD?

The Australian Open is held each year at Melbourne Park. 

Rod Laver Arena is the biggest court used, and hosts all the finals and most of the top seeds. Margaret Court Arena, just next door also stages some of the biggest matches of the first grand slam of the year, while Melbourne Arena - which is open to anyone with a ground pass - is often the rowdiest court at Melbourne Park.  

HOW TO WATCH THE 2021 AUSTRALIAN OPEN?

Channel 9 have the rights to the Australian Open, and will broadcast the tournament. 

HOW TO STREAM THE 2021 AUSTRALIAN OPEN

You can stream every match of the Australian Open on Nine's 9Go service. You can watch on laptop or mobile and choose which match and which court you want to focus on. 

2021 AUSTRALIAN OPEN DRAW

The draw for the 2021 Australian Open men's and women's singles draw was announced on Friday, February 5. 

Aussie world number one Ash Barty has been handed a favouable draw with Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka and Simona Halep all on the opposite side of the draw. 

There are 23 Australians in total in the singles draw with one all-Aussie match-up between Sam Stosur and Destanee Aiava. 

For all the details from the Australian Open draw including who all the Australians will be playing, click here. 

2021 AUSTRALIAN OPEN SEEDS

Despite a number of big name players pulling out of the Australian Open, including everyone's favourite Roger Federer, the Open is still PACKED with talent. 

Here are the 32 seeds on both the men's and women's side of the singles draw. 

Australian Open 2021 Men's Singles Seeds

Australian Open 2021 Women's Singles Seeds

WHO IS PLAYING IN THE 2021 AUSTRALIAN OPEN?

The entry list of players has been confirmed for the men's draw, with the women's field set to be confirmed before the start of 2021.

Despite strict quarantine laws, the Australian Open is expected to welcome a strong field, with the top 104 players committing to the tournament.

Australian Open - Entry List: #AO #AO2021 #atptour #ATP #Tennis pic.twitter.com/SsFhbAiOf1

— Damian Modliński (@D_Modlinski) December 19, 2020

2021 AUSTRALIAN OPEN MEN'S SINGLES ODDS

Odds courtesy of Sportsbet as of 6th February 

2021 AUSTRALIAN OPEN WOMEN'S SINGLES ODDS

Odds courtesy of Sportsbet as of 6th February 

JO-WILFRIED TSONGA WITHDRAWS FROM 2021 AUSTRALIAN OPEN

The 2008 Australian Open finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has pulled out of the Australian Open, with a serious back injury set to extend his time off the court to more than a year. 

Tsonga has not featured since he was forced to withdraw in the first round of the 2020 Australian Open against Alexei Popyrin in January. 

"Despite great progress in recent months, I am still not able to play in competition," Tsonga wrote on social media. 

"In agreement with the medical team, the Australian Open is therefore compromised this year.

"I am looking forward to getting back on a tennis court soon...but I have to be patient."

ROGER FEDERER RULED OUT OF 2021 AUSTRALIAN OPEN

World number five Roger Federer has been ruled out of the upcoming Australian Open as he continues his recovery from two knee reconstructions, his long-time agent Tony Godsick has confirmed.

“Roger has decided not to play the 2021 Australian Open. He has made strong progress in the last couple of months with his knee and his fitness. However, after consultation with his team, he decided that the best decision for him in the long run is to return to competitive tennis after the Australian Open,” Godsick told the Associated Press.

“I will start discussions this coming week for tournaments that begin in late February and then start to build a schedule for the rest of the year."

Federer is a six-time Australian Open champion and reached the final on seven occasions. 

KYLE EDMUND OUT OF THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN 

England's Kyle Edmund has officially pulled out of the Australian Open, citing an ongoing knee injury. 

“Unfortunately, my knee is not quite ready to compete in the upcoming Australia swing," the British number two said. 

"I hope to be back competing soon."

INDIAN WELLS DELAYED AS ATP CONFIRMS 2021 PLAYING SCHEDULE

The ATP has confirmed weeks eight to 13 of the 2021 season, with Indian Wells being delayed until later in the year. 

With the Australian Open being pushed back to a February start, the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells has also been forced into a shift. A date for the tournament has yet to be formalised. 

Eight tournaments - including the European indoor, Latin American and Middle East swings will be played after the Australian Open, with the Miami Open scheduled to take place from March 22 to April 4. 

ANDY MURRAY, AUSSIE THANASI KOKKINAKIS HANDED WILDCARDS

Scotsman Andy Murray has been handed a wildcard entry to the 2021 Australian Open just two years after claiming he feared he'd seen the end of the tournament due to injury.

Murray is a five-time runner-up in Melbourne but in 2019 after bowing out of the tournament declared he would most likely be forced into retirement due to a battle with chronic hip pain. 

But in a remarkable turn of events for the Australian Open fan-favourite, 33-year-old Murray will feature in February

"As a five-time finalist, he has been an integral part of so many amazing matches and storylines in the recent history of the Australian Open," tournament director Craig Tiley said.

"His retirement was an emotional moment and seeing him come back, having undergone major surgery and built himself back up to get onto the tour again, will be a highlight of AO 2021."

Murray is a three-time grand slam winner but has struggled to get the job done at Melbourne Park, reaching the 2010, '11, '13, '15 and '16 but suffering defeat in each.

Meanwhile, Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis has also earned a wildcard after missing last year's tournament due to glandular fever. 

DARIA GAVRILOVA, MARC POLMANS AMONGST SIX AUSTRALIANS HANDED WILDCARDS

Former world number 20 Daria Gavrilova and Marc Polmans are amongst six Australians that have been handed wildcards to the 2021 Australian Open.

The pair join Chris O’Connell, Astra Sharma, Maddison Inglis and Lizette Cabrera in the main draw of the first grand slam of the year, which has been rescheduled for February 8-21.

The wildcard will come as welcome news for Gavrilova, who missed the majority of the 2019 and 2020 season with injury.

There are 23 Australians in total set to take their place in the Australian Open singles.

MANDATORY 14-DAY QUARANTINE PERIOD CONFIRMED 

All players will be required to quarantine in Melbourne for two weeks before the rescheduled Australian Open gets underway on Feb. 8, the Victorian government confirmed Saturday.

"Quarantine plans have been endorsed by the Chief Health Officer and the Andrews Labor Government will work with Tennis Australia to finalize a COVIDSafe Plan that ensures the safety of all parties," a statement from the Victorian government read.

"Rigorous infection prevention and control measures will be central to these arrangements."

"Players and their support teams will be tested prior to departing for Australia and then a minimum of five times during their quarantine period," the statement continued.

"If they test positive, they will be subject to standard quarantine arrangements until being cleared by public health officials."

WHAT SURFACE IS THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN PLAYED ON? 

Since 2008, the Australian Open has been held on blue plexicushion.

Until 1988, it was played on grass, before switching to green rebound ace between 1989 and 2007.

Roger Federer and Serena Williams are the only two tennis players to win the Australian major on both Rebound Ace and the Plexicushion surface.

WHO WON THE 2020 AUSTRALIAN OPEN? 

Novak Djokovic was the 2020 men's Australian Open winner, claiming his eighth win in Melbourne, beating Austrian Dominic Thiem 6-4 4-6 2-6 6-3 6-4 in an instant classic.

In the women's draw, Sofia Kenin broke through for her first title, rallying past former world number one Garbine Muguruza 4-6 6-2 6-2. 

Rajeev Ram & Joe Salisbury won the men's doubles in a straight-sets win over Aussie wildcards Max Purcell and Luke Saville 6-4 6-2. Second seeds Tímea Babos and Kristina Mladenovic won their second women's doubles titles, defeating Hsieh Su-Wei and Barbora Strýcová in the final, 6–2, 6–1.

Barbora Krejcikova & Nikola Mektic claimed the mixed doubles, overcoming Bethanie Mattek-Sands & Jamie Murray 5-7 6-4 10-1.

ASH BARTY AT THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN 

Ash Barty headed into the 2020 Australian Open as the number one player in the world and was looking to win her second ever Grand Slam tournament. 

The home town favourite made it to the semi-finals, but was beaten by eventual winner Sofia Kenin in two sets. 

Until this year, Barty's best performance at her home slam came in 2019 when she advanced to the quarter-finals, losing to eventual finalist Petra Kvitova. 

Prior to that, Barty reached the third round in 2018 and 2017, and was knocked out in the first round in 2014, 2013 and 2012.