“It's not true that Australian Open tennis players have to be quarantined”

The Australian Open 2021 in Melbourne is approaching and doubts remain about the celebration of the tournament due to the coronavirus pandemic. Local authorities do not want the first Grand Slam of the season to cause a new wave in the State of Victoria, which in the last month has not registered any positive for coronavirus after carrying out strict restrictions.

On the Australian outlet Nine's 'Today' show, Todd Woodbridge, one of the best doubles players of the 90s, wanted to give his opinion on the celebration of the tournament and the fear that exists among the citizens of Melbourne. “There is a lot of concern in Melbourne because we have worked so hard to get this virus under control, so bringing in international players would be worrying. However, Tennis Australia and the health authorities have worked very hard to establish protocols for the tournament. “

Woodbridge explained that tennis players who are going to play the Australian Open will have to undergo numerous tests to guarantee the safety of the bubble, although he denied that they have to keep quarantine and that they will be able to move from the hotel to the courts to train. “When the tennis players come, they will have to have tested negative before getting on the plane, take a new test as soon as they have landed and test negative in order to remain in the bubble. I've heard rumors on the radio that they will be quarantined for ten days. That is not true. They will have to go through the same as everyone else. Then they will have the opportunity to go from the hotel to the slopes and then return to the hotel to allow the Australian Open to be held in the best possible way. “

Finally, Woodbridge stressed that, quite possibly, tennis players are in Australia with protocols that are very similar to those they have already undergone in other major tournaments such as the US Open or Roland Garros. “It is worth mentioning that players have already been doing this for the past few months. At the US Open, the first Grand Slam after the return of the circuit, 10,000 coronavirus tests were carried out in the bubble. So players will be tested frequently. and rigorously and I think we can be sure that we will be as tough and strict as with anyone else who comes to Australia. “