Melbourne Park will host the ATP Cup, two WTA 500 events and two ATP 250 tournaments in a blockbuster lead-up into the 2021 Australian Open.<\/p>\n
Tennis Australia confirmed the lead-in events as a part of its schedule for the summer of tennis, which will kick off on Sunday, January 31.<\/p>\n
"During our many months of planning for the Australian Open it's been a priority to provide as many competition opportunities for the playing group as possible," Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley said in a statement.<\/p>\n
"It's been an incredibly difficult year for everyone and the players have had limited opportunity to compete throughout 2020. These additional events will be vital to their Australian Open preparation."<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The two WTA 500 tournaments and the two ATP 250 tournaments will feature 64-player singles and 32-player doubles draws and will go from January 31 to February 6.<\/p>\n
The ATP Cup will also return in 2021 after proving to be a hit in the lead-up to last year's Australian Open, and will feature 12-country teams divided into four groups.<\/p>\n
Another WTA 250 event will take place at Melbourne Park in the second week of the Australian Open, commencing on Saturday, February 13.<\/p>\n
FULL SUMMER OF TENNIS SCHEDULE FOR 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n 4-10 Jan: ITF World Tennis Tour Junior – Grade 5, Traralgon
11-17 Jan: ITF World Tennis Tour Junior – Grade 4, Traralgon
10-13 Jan: Australian Open Men's qualifying, Doha
10-13 Jan: Australian Open Women's qualifying, Dubai
31 Jan – 6 Feb: Melbourne Summer Series (2x WTA 500, 2x ATP 250), Melbourne Park
1-5 Feb: ATP Cup 2021, Meloburne Park
3-6 Feb: Victorian Wheelchair Tennis Open, Hume Tennis Centre
8-21 Feb: Australian Open 2021, Melbourne Park<\/strong>
8-11 Feb: Melbourne Wheelchair Tennis Open, Hume Tennis Centre
13-19 Feb: WTA 250, Melbourne Park<\/p>\n