Melbourne, Sep 3 (AP) An annual pre-Australian Open tune-up event has been canceled because of the expected COVID-19 restrictions in Melbourne.

The three-day Kooyong Classic had been scheduled to be held in the week before the January 18-31 Australian Open.

Also Read | Lionel Messi Transfer News: Real Madrid Stars Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric Hope Argentina Football Star Remains at Barcelona.

It has been played since 1988, when the season-opening tennis major moved from Kooyong to its permanent site at Melbourne Park.

Kooyong officials on Thursday said the tournament will return in 2022 with an extended clubhouse and other increased facilities to allow for more spectators at the venue.

Also Read | Lionel Messi in New Barcelona 2020-21 Season Home Jersey Amid Talks of Exit, Here's Latest Update on Argentine's Transfer News.

"We really feel that this is the right thing to do," Kooyong club president Peter Carew said.

"At this stage there are so many unknowns. There is also the uncertainty around the Australian Open and how other events around it will be presented, which adds other complexities in planning."

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley has said he remains confident the Grand Slam tournament will go ahead, even without spectators if necessary. Players and officials could be required to stay in a bio-secure bubble similar to what is being used at the US Open.

Melbourne has been the hardest-hit Australian city by a second wave of COVID-19, and residents remain in lockdown and under a night curfew. AP

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)