The Australian Open continues to leave us numerous casualties for the tournament just one month before the start of the final draw of the competition in protest against the measures demanded by the organizers of tennis players against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The most notable absences for this reason have so far occurred in the doubles table. To the resignation of the French Pierre-Hughes Herbert for her opposition to getting the vaccine (one of the requirements to attend the tournament) now joins that of an entire Australian Open champion: the Hungarian Timea Babos.
Babos, who won the title with the French Kristina Mladenovic in 2020, published a message on his Instagram account in which he reviewed how the situation has changed since that title and revealing that he will have a new doubles partner this season. “Unfortunately the world has changed a lot since we won the doubles at the Australian Open 2020. This year in Melbourne I received a big slap from my partner unexpectedly, then I passed the COVID-19 and then the injuries continued. With all my enthusiasm I went back to training a few months ago and I also went back to tennis competitions. Due to my low individual ranking and my successes in the doubles, I face a series of dilemmas for the future, but I assure you one thing: I will not give up (And yes, there will be another couple with Timea Babos in 2022, but you I’ll tell about it later) “.
After this Babos confirmed that he will not attend the Australian Open due to his opposition to the measures that the Australian government has imposed on tennis players who arrive in the country. “After telling you all this, I have made the decision not to play the Australian Open in 2022 after many years because I have reached a point in my career where winning and achieving glory is not everything. I cannot relate to the Australian government’s COVID-19 measures, the quarantine obligation and how to deter COVID. I can honestly say that I would not go to Australia with a calm heart to compete in singles or to play in doubles. I am sorry for the situation and wish all my colleagues who are going to Australia good luck and, above all, have a safe stay. “