MELBOURNE (Reuters) – The build-up to next month’s Australian Open was disrupted on Saturday when 47 players were forced into two weeks of strict hotel quarantine after coronavirus infections were reported on two flights charter that took them to Melbourne.
Two dozen players and their staff landed from Los Angeles to enter quarantine after an aircrew member and a non-player passenger tested positive for COVID-19.
23 more players arriving on a charter flight from Abu Dhabi had a similar fate after another non-player passenger tested positive, organizers of the first grand slam of the year reported.
Players “will not be able to leave the hotel rooms for 14 days and until they are medically authorized,” they said.
“They won’t be able to practice.”
Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas, Mexican Santiago González and New Zealander Artemis Sitak confirmed through social media that they were traveling from Los Angeles.
According to local media, two-time champion Victoria Azarenka, former American Open winner Sloane Stephens and Japanese Kei Nishikori were also on the flight.
Another player on the same plane was Tennys Sandgren, who was granted special permission to travel from Los Angeles late last week after testing positive for the new coronavirus, which he had previously had.
Tennis Australia said in a statement that the decision to allow Sandgren to fly had been taken after a review by medical officials. A spokesman for COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria said it was common among people who previously tested positive to “throw viral fragments for some time, which can lead to another positive result.”
Tournament director Craig Tiley said: “We are communicating with everyone on this flight, and particularly with the gaming group whose conditions have changed, to ensure that their needs are met to the fullest.”
Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk said she was on the flight from Abu Dhabi.
Several players turned to social media to vent their frustration and resentment at being denied training.
“Weeks and weeks of practice and hard work will be lost for a positive person for Covid on an empty 3/4 plane. I’m sorry, but this is crazy, “tweeted Frenchwoman Alize Cornet.
Belgian Kirsten Flipkens criticized the decision to quarantine all players on the flight, calling it “Russian roulette”.
The New Zealand sitak said he was “obviously not great”, but was aware of the risks involved and seemed relaxed when it came to staying on the floor in his hotel room.
“I ordered a bike, so I hope I can grab one and keep me fit, and we’ll probably be out on January 29,” the 34-year-old said in a video on his Instagram page.
He later posted a photo of his exercise bike saying “he had that beauty.”
After the organizers found themselves at the end of the anger of many players, Azarenka sounded a different note.
“If you have time to complain, you have time to find the solution,” the Belarusian tweeted.
Australia has agreed to accept some 1,200 players, officers and staff on 15 flights for the big sporting event which will start on 8 February.
Reports by Melanie Burton and Ian Ransom; Additional reports by Amlan Chakraborty; Edited by William Mallard, Jacqueline Wong and Hugh Lawson