And it's finally gone!
After 14 mandatory days of quarantine, controversies and eight positive cases detected with Covid-19, the players are back on the courts to launch the season of the main circuit.
With the happiness of evolving in front of the public.
A luxury in the midst of the Covid-19 health crisis.
The tables for the two men's tournaments have been enlarged to allow everyone to play before the first Grand Slam of the year, starting on February 8.
The same goes for the players.
The program is dense and plentiful.
The players will be divided into three WTA 500 tournaments and the players into two ATP 250s plus the ATP Cup which will bring together the elite men.
Objective: to be ready for the first Major of the year.
On the women's circuit
Yarra Valley Classic (WTA 500)
From January 31 to February 6
54 participants including the world number one, the local, Ashleigh Barty in the spotlight.
After a year without playing and after participating in an exhibition in Adelaide, the Australian is back in competition.
Sofia Kenin, world number 4 and winner of the 2020 Australian Open, as well as living legend Serena Williams are also expected.
At Les Bleues, things have already started badly.
Fiona Ferro (44th) and Kristina Mladenovic (50th) fell from the start.
Clara Burel is therefore the last Frances in the running.
Gippsland Trophy (WTA 500)
January 31 - February 6
Beautiful casting also starring world number two Simona Halep and number three Naomi Osaka.
We have not seen the Romanian on the courts since her elimination in the round of 16 at Roland Garros.
And to see the Japanese again, we have to go back to her coronation at the US Open last September… Caroline Garcia, who won her first round against the Australian Arina Rodionova (6-3, 6-4), Alizé Cornet and Chloé Package represent France.
Grampians Trophy (WTA 500)
From February 3 to 7
The 28 participants in this tournament, which came out of the ground at the last moment, have in common to have undergone a strict quarantine.
There are leading players like Bianca Andreescu, who hasn't played a match since… October 2019. Former Grand Slam winners like Victoria Azarenka and Angelique Kerber are also in the running.
On the men's circuit
Murray River Open (ATP 250)
From February 1 to 7
56 players scrapped at the Murray River Open.
Three-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka, who had Covid-19 at the end of December, is the first seed. But all eyes are on Nick Kyrgios, the Australian enfant terrible, back in the game after a year of absence.
The French are in number.
Corentin Moutet was opposed last night to the American Frances Tiafoe.
Richard Gasquet, seeded 14, faced American, Mackenzie McDonald, 194th world.
Adrian Mannarino, seeded n ° 10, found the Swede Mikael Ymer.
Jérémy Chardy, the veteran Marin Cilic.
Ugo Humbert, Gilles Simon, Quentin Halys and Alexandre Muller will enter the running on Tuesday.
Great Ocean Road Open (ATP 250)
From February 1 to 7
A single French driver entered Pierre-Hugues Herbert.
David Goffin, Karen Khachanov and even Jannik Sinner present themselves as the main attractions of an event which brings together players who have not been able to play the ATP Cup which starts on Tuesday and which celebrates its second edition.
ATP Cup
From February 2 to 6
The competition brings together only twelve teams this year, against 24 in 2020 for the first edition, based on the world ranking of the best player from each country.
They are divided into four groups of three and the first from each pool will advance to the semi-finals.
Each confrontation between nations is broken down into two singles matches and a double.
France is represented by the same players as in 2020, where it was eliminated from the group stage, with Gaël Monfils and Benoît Paire, accompanied by the pair Nicolas Mahut - Edouard Roger-Vasselin.
Djokovic and Nadal are expected.
And since nothing is normal in times of Covid-19, Nadal, contrary to his habits, will thus play a tournament the week before a Grand Slam: "It is clear that this is all new, and a little strange ".
Now it's time to play.
Read also
Djokovic, out of quarantine, did not take any risk in Adelaide in front of 4,000 spectators