The Australian Open will start on 8 February next year after being pushed back three weeks because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The first Grand Slam of the 2021 season was scheduled to take place in Melbourne from 18 to 31 January.

The four-day men's qualifying event has been moved to Doha, Qatar and will start on 10 January.

Players will arrive in Melbourne on 15 January for a 14-day quarantine period under local coronavirus rules.

The news was confirmed when the ATP announced the schedule for the first seven weeks of the men's tour next year.

The season will start with events in Delray Beach in the United States and Antalya in Turkey on 5 January.