A major warm-up tournament for the Australian Open was cancelled today, with organisers blaming uncertainty over Covid-19 rules players will face in Melbourne, AFP reports.

It is the second year the Kooyong Classic, normally played in the weeks leading up to the season-opening Grand Slam, has been scrapped because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Kooyong president Adam Cossar said he was disappointed the event could not take place in January 2022 but hopes it will return in 2023.