It seems the bad news simply won’t stop coming for fans of the Australian Open. Several star players have been withdrawing from the tournament citing injuries or the virus.

Additionally, there is now a crowd limit on the Grand Slam as well. The Victorian government, in a fresh set of mandates, has capped all ticket sales to fifty percent for all matches where tickets weren’t all sold out.

However, the people who have already bought tickets will be able to continue watching their matches. No tickets would be canceled or changed which spectators have already bought.

Huge blow to Australian Open

Moreover, Jaala Pulford, the Tourism, Sports, and Major Events Minister for Victoria, gave a reassuring statement regarding the same. She stated that everyone involved, from fans to players and the staff, “can look forward to a terrific covid-safe event”.

Furthermore, the Victorian government has also made face masks mandatory for the duration of the event. Spectators will only be able to take them off during eating or drinking. Moreover, all ticket sales currently going on will be paused once they reach half capacity, as well.

With the cases of the coronavirus increasing rapidly in Victoria, imposing these rules was quite necessary. Thus, the government aims to limit the spread of the outbreak while also ensuring that a historical annual event like the Australian Open does not stop.

ALSO READ: “Gracias Peque”: Rafael Nadal and Diego Schwartzman Bond Over Practice Session Ahead of Australian Open 2022

In fact, Pulford even claimed that they would make the concerned authority improve the ventilation in and around Melbourne Park. Thus, “thousands of spectators will be able to experience the iconic Australian Open from Monday,” she said.

Full press release for a safe event

Minister Jaala Pulford sent out a full press release for the fresh set of curbs and rules. In order to have a ‘covid-safe’ event for the Australian Open, this is necessary, as per the release.

In fact, tennis is not all that ticket holders will get to enjoy. According to the release, there will also be a “packed line-up of live music, food and wine” from the biggest restaurants in Melbourne.

Additionally, there are also going to be several family-friendly activities. All of these new rules are “to ensure the health and safety of fans attending Melbourne Park from Monday,” when the maiden Grand Slam of the year finally commences.

What are your thoughts about the new rules? Are they sufficient in order to ensure a safe Australian Open?

WATCH THIS STORY: ‘Lying Sneaky A**hole’: Anchors Slam Novak Djokovic for Australian Open 2022 Controversy in Leaked Footage