Australian Open 2021

After getting wild card entry to the first major, Murray said, "I'm really excited to be back playing at the Australian Open and grateful to Craig and the team for the opportunity. I've had some great times in Australia playing in front of the amazing crowds and I can't wait to step back out on court at Melbourne Park."

"Unfortunately, I hurt my right hand in practice yesterday and I won't be able to play in Adelaide, Sydney, and (the) Australian Open this year," said the 29-year-old Czech Republic player. Australian Open officials on Thursday confirmed her withdrawal. "You will be missed, wishing you a speedy recovery," the Australian Open official Twitter account wrote.

The winner of 20 majors has yet to confirm to the Australian Open organisers whether he has received the vaccination for Covid-19 or not, a prerequisite for competing at the Melbourne Park where he is the defending champion. Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley has rejected reports which suggest that a medical exemption could be granted to Djokovic, the nine-time Australian Open champion.

Serena, a seven-time winner of the Australian Open, revealed that she was not fit to compete at the first Grand Slam of the upcoming season. "While this is never an easy decision to make, I am not where I need to be physically to compete. I will miss seeing the fans, but am excited to return and compete at my highest level.

The Australian Open commences on January 17 and Djokovic, who finished a record seventh year as world No. 1, has not revealed his Covid-19 vaccination status. The winner of 20 majors is just one major title away from breaking the tie with Swiss ace Roger Federer and Spaniard Rafael Nadal. "He (Djokovic) has not shared his status with anyone," Tiley told SEN's Whateley on Friday.

This will be the 23-year-old World No 3's second consecutive Grand Slam final and fourth overall. Williams's bid for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title will now have to wait until the French Open which is scheduled to start on May 24.

Medvedev beat the seventh seed Rublev 7-5, 6-3, 6-2 and will now face either world No.5 Stefanos Tsitsipas or 20-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals. He goes into the semi-finals on a 19-match unbeaten run.