A general view of the Rod Laver Arena as Serena Williams serves against Russia's Anastasia Potapova during their women's singles match on day five of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on Feb 12, 2021. (BRANDON MALONE / AFP)

MELBOURNE - The Australian Open tennis tournament will proceed without crowds over the next five days, organisers said, after the state of Victoria was placed under a snap lockdown from Friday to contain a fresh outbreak of COVID-19.

“Australian Open sessions today and tonight will continue as planned with COVID-19 safe protocols in place,” organisers said in a statement.

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“We are notifying ticket holders, players and staff that there will be no fans onsite at the AO for five days, commencing from Saturday 13 February.” 

Asked about the Australian Open, Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said the Grand Slam tournament, one the biggest events in the country’s sports calendar, was considered a workplace, subject to lockdown restrictions.