Two Australian Open players have tested positive for Covid-19, with a third “non-playing participant” also being infected, after arriving in Melbourne for the first tennis grand slam event of the year.
Over 1,200 people have flown in from all around the world for the event – which has sparked some controversy amongst pros and fans alike.
The tournament begins on February 8 but many residents of the city – who had to endure one of the world’s longest lockdowns last year – aren’t happy about the risk of the tournament being held provides to them.
Players on flights where infections occurred have been ordered to fully self-isolate in their hotel rooms and aren’t allowed to train outside unlike other players.
This has upset those ‘locked up’ in their hotel rooms, including world number one Novak Djokovic, the Serbian lobbying authorities to relax the rules to let him and others practice properly.
This reaction has led to many criticising Djokovic, including outspoken Australian player Nick Kyrgios who tweeted a news clip from Australian news show 7News with the caption, “Djokovic is a tool. I don’t mind Bernie but his Mrs obviously has no perspective, ridiculous scenes”.
This isn’t the first time that Kyrgios has beefed with Djokovic over social media, or over his stance on the coronavirus. In June last year, Djokovic tested positive for coronavirus after being seen partying in a club in Belgrade.
Kyrgios wasn’t hesitant to give his thoughts, especially after Djokovic hosted an exhibition tournament in which he, and other tennis players, caught the virus.
Australian officials are not budging however, despite players complaints about having to hit tennis balls against their hotel walls or windows to try and get some practice in before the tournament starts.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said, “The rules apply to them as they would apply to anybody else.
“They were briefed before they came here, they knew the conditions before they came. There’s no special treatment here, the virus doesn’t treat you specially and neither do we.”
