Playing Australian Open straight after quarantine 'dangerous', warn tennis stars
- par Rene Duval
- dans Sport
- — Nov 20, 2020
Serbian Djokovic said he would do whatever was required to play at the Australian Open but hoped the government could also be accommodating.
Tennis Australia (TA) planned for players and their entourages to arrive in Victoria next month to have time to undertake a mandatory two-week quarantine period before competing in January.
A number of options appear to be on the table, from playing the lead-up tournaments in a US Open-style bubble, scrapping the warm-up events, or delaying the Australian Open.
It is also unclear whether players will be allowed to train during quarantine.
"I would like to go there and I'm ready to go there and I'm ready to quarantine for two weeks or whatever is necessary for me to be able to play", said Djokovic.
Speaking on this issue, Novak highlighted that, "I'm very pleased with the way Craig Tiley and the other staff from Tennis Australia have been trying to fight for us as best conditions as is possible for the players".
In correspondence with players, the ATP - the men's tennis tour - said arrivals originally planned for December were now uncertain, potentially disrupting the packed January schedule.
The ATP said it was working "as hard as possible" to deliver the calendar of events.
Victoria state premier Daniel Andrews said on Wednesday he was confident the Australian Open would go ahead at Melbourne Park but declined to confirm Tennis Australia's scheduling for the January 18-31 Grand Slam and other events in the leadup, including the team-based ATP Cup.
Rod Laver Arena
"We are now seeking further details on what this means for the first two weeks of January and whether we will be able to run tournaments during this time", the letter reads.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 05: The giant Australian Open logo is seen full of tennis balls ahead of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 05, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia.
"I think it's physically very unsafe".
"If we have to go quarantine for 14 days inside a room and then go play a Grand Slam, I will do it because it's my job and I have to find a way, but I think it's quite risky for the players with no preparation I think to go there and compete right away", he said. I kind of regrouped and felt better towards the end of the match.
"It has to be done safely, it has to be done properly", Mr Andrews said on Wednesday.
Australia has adopted some of the strictest measures in the world to combat coronavirus, and South Australia is entering a six-day lockdown after a handful of cases linked to a hotel quarantine site.
"The only negative thing is we have to be there like 16 days in advance (of competing)", he told reporters at the ATP Finals on Tuesday.
"We're confident that we'll finish up with an Australian Open, it's a very important event, but there's a lot of work to be done to make sure that's as safe as possible".
