Victoria will host all of the nation’s major tennis events this summer in an effort to ensure the strong-possible field for the Australian Open.
Tennis Australia will transfer the events usually held in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra and Hobart to Victoria, according to the Herald Sun.
The unprecedented measure is because of coronavirus, with players to fly into Melbourne for a two-week quarantine.
They are then free to travel around the state for competition, with some of the events potentially being held at regional venues.
“There is now no risk of the Australian Open going ahead without everyone in Victoria and we didn’t have that guarantee previously,” Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley was quoted as saying.
Players are expected to arrive in Melbourne from mid-December.
It remains unclear how many fans will attend the Open, which is scheduled from January 18-31.
Tiley wants at least 25 per cent crowd capacity, which has been confirmed for cricket’s annual Boxing Day Test at the MCG.