Three players who contested the final of this year’s Australian Open women’s doubles tournament say they will abide by measures being implemented in 2022 but some are not entirely happy about the situation.
The Melbourne major is set to get underway in January amid uncertainty over their rules regarding allowing players who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 to participate. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has indicated that he would welcome measures which would allow unvaccinated players to enter a strict quarantine upon arrival in order to play. However, the Premier of Victoria, which is the state where the tournament is held in, says he will not be requesting any exemptions to an existing health mandate for such a situation to occur. Victoria recently introduced legislation requiring all essential workers, including professional athletes, to be vaccinated.
Katerina Siniakova is a former world No.1 doubles player who reached the final of the Australian Open earlier this year. The Czech admits that she ‘wasn’t too excited’ about the rules being implemented. Even though she is vaccinated herself.
“We all saw it coming. Unfortunately the situation does not give us a choice,” AFP news quoted Siniakova as telling reporters on Saturday.
“I wasn’t too excited about the rule, but I want to play tennis so there’s nothing I can do.”
“I think there’s more to come because Australia won’t go soft,” she added.
Doubles partner Barbora Krejcikova, who won the French Open singles title back in June, agreed that she would comply with the rules because she wants to play in the event and ‘health is the priority.’
Although the policy is yet to be finalised by Tennis Australia, it is expected that those who have been doubled jabbed will have a significantly greater freedom in the country compared to this year where all players have to enter a quarantine. According to the latest information, once they have undergone testing players will be allowed to travel wherever they want to within the region.
“I am vaccinated … it definitely helps because we travel a lot and we come into contact with lots of people,” Australian Open doubles champion Elise Mertens commented.
“There’s more players and staff and coaches who are getting vaccinated,” she later added.
“It definitely helps to not be a close contact and not be in quarantine for too long because it definitely breaks the rhythm.”
Earlier this week Tennis Australia said they were ‘optimistic’ about the prospect of holding the Grand Slam ‘as close to pre-pandemic conditions as possible.’ According to world No.1 Novak Djokovic, he believes a final decision on the entry requirements will be made during November. Djokovic has not disclosed his vaccination status amid speculation over his chances of being able to defend his title.
“We are working with the Victorian and Federal Governments on the conditions for players at Australian Open 2022,” a statement published by The Telegraph read.
“Everyone has been buoyed by the easing of restrictions [in Victoria] over the past week, along with the Premier’s announcement yesterday that large crowds will be welcomed back to events next year.
“We are optimistic that we can hold the Australian Open as close to pre-pandemic conditions as possible.”
The Australian Open is set to get underway on January 17th.
