Australian Open to admit crowds of up to 30,000 spectators

Crowds of up to 30,000 will be in attendance at the Australian Open (Victoria Jones/PA)

Crowds of up to 30,000 will be allowed to watch next month’s Australian Open in Melbourne, Victoria’s sports minister has confirmed.

Martin Pakula has announced that the tournament’s Covid-safe plan will accommodate 30,000 spectators daily during the first eight days of play, which gets under way on February 8, and 25,000 from the quarter-finals on, representing around half the usual capacity.