ABSTRACT
The Australian Open tennis tournament is a mega sporting event that contributes to Melbourne's status on the world sporting map. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the main issue was if, and under what conditions, the Australian Open would run in January 2021. This chapter will include an analysis of the cultural, economic, and reputational impact of the Australian Open in the context of Australia's strict COVID-19 regulatory framework. An evaluation of some of the ethical issues related to COVID-19 management highlights the impact on players, spectators, and the community. While economic benefits, human freedoms, and fairness feature prominently, the common good of public health is shown to be the key ethical driver in planning and managing the “Safety Slam” Australian Open 2021.
