Statements continue about the quarantine that tennis players are serving in Melbourne and Adelaide before the next Australian Open (February 8-21) to prevent the tournament from becoming a focus of the coronavirus pandemic.
Despite the numerous criticisms in recent hours, with Djokovic's request to the Australian authorities to relax the conditions (something they rejected this Monday), there have been other voices that advocate a consensual solution so that the situation does not lead to chaos.
One of these voices has been that of the Belarusian tennis player Victoria Azarenka, champion of the Australian Open in 2012 and 2013, who through his social networks wanted to send a message to his teammates and the organizers and said that he understands the need to comply with this quarantine despite the fact that all the previous work is ruined. “Dear Australian players, coaches, teams and community. I would like to have a moment and address my colleagues and also the media around the world. It has been a very difficult time for many of us who did not expect to end up in the situation in the one we are in today, and I include myself. Being in a strict quarantine for 14 days is very hard to accept as it ruins all the work we have done in preseason to prepare for our first Grand Slam of the year. I understand the frustration and the feeling of injustice that has been generated and that is overwhelming us. “
“The people of Australia have lived with many restrictions that they have not been able to choose”
'Vika' recognizes that the organizers can have failures in these types of situations but asks the rest of the tennis players to understand the current moment and also to understand the people of Australia, who have been subjected to several of the most restrictive measures in the fight against coronavirus. “We have a global pandemic and no one has a manual on how to operate at full capacity and without technical failures, we saw that last year. Sometimes things happen and we have to accept it, adapt and not stop! I would like to ask my colleagues for cooperation, understanding and empathy for the local community that has been having a very hard time with many restrictions that they have not chosen but have had to follow. “
Azarenka also wanted to have a message for all those who have been affected by the pandemic, those who fight the virus on the front line and also for the media and the people of Australia who have been critical of the presence of tennis players. “I would also like to ask for sensitivity to the people who have lost their jobs and their loved ones during this horrible time for all of us around the world. I would like to ask for respect for the people who work tirelessly to try to make our lives more easy. I want to ask the media to please be aware of the impact and influence they have on this situation and the community. And to the people of the community I would like them to know and understand that our main objective is to ensure the safety and health of all people. “
For this reason Azarenka ends his letter with a message of unity so that, among all of us, the current situation at the Australian Open does not lead to chaos due to the quarantine. “Lastly, I would like us to support each other and be willing to help each other. Things are easier when you have a compassionate environment and we work together. Thank you again for all your efforts and we will continue to navigate with this situation for the next days and weeks. “