There is fresh frustration for some players in Australia after it was confirmed that they will have to spend an extra day in quarantine by health officials.
Earlier on Thursday Tennys Sandgren uploaded a video in which he criticised Tennis Australia over their handling of the situation. A stark contrast to two weeks ago when he praised the governing body after they managed to get him on a flight to the country despite producing a positive COVID-19 test. The American and his peers had been hoping to leave his hotel after 14 days until they was informed that their release would be staggered and could last until Sunday which is eight days before the start of the Australian Open.
“I just found out we’re not going to be able to leave the room ’til midnight which will put us at close to 15 days in this room,” Sandgren said on Instagram.
“It’s also another day we can’t practice.
“That’s play Saturday, Sunday, Monday and play a match Tuesday – a match, a competitive tennis match.
“After 16 days off we get three days hitting and then a tennis match.”
Sandgren is one of 72 players who have been in a strict quarantine after being declared closed contacts of somebody who has tested positive for COVID-19. A series of positive tests was detected on flights en route to the country. As a consequence of this, players started their quarantine on ‘day zero’ as supposed to day one under the normal rules set out. During this period they have been prohibited from leaving their room.
Oksana Kalashnikova, who is a top 70 doubles player, says she is baffled by the decision to extend their quarantine by an extra day but has no problem with it. The Georgian has previously jumped to the defence of Tennis Australia.
“We’re covid free and I’ve stayed my 14 days (in quarantine) and had no problem with that. My question is different, not about 14 days since all the studies say 14 days and that is what we’re told. If there is an explanation for that extra day I’ll have no problem with it,” she wrote on Twitter.
All players and their teams will only be released from quarantine as long as they pass the final health check. COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria (CQV) has said a total of 960 players will be released but it will not be at once with a staggered system being implemented.
“Australian Open quarantine residents are expected to depart this evening, with further residents to depart on Friday, Saturday and Sunday,” a statement reads.
“Departure dates and numbers may be subject to change,” the statement read.
“Australian Open residents must have returned a negative test result and be non-symptomatic prior to exiting mandatory quarantine.
“Australian Open residents identified as close contacts must have returned a negative test result and have received a medical clearance prior to exiting mandatory quarantine.
“Australian Open residents who tested positive must remain in isolation until they receive a medical clearance to exit.”
The Australian tennis swing will officially start next week with a total of six tournaments taking place, including one WTA event specifically for those who have been in strict quarantine. Recently the scheduling of those events had to be adjusted due to the high number of players who have been placed in a strict quarantine.
Meanwhile, the Australian Open is set to start on February 8th.
