Australian Open 2022: Stay up to date with the latest Covid news from Melbourne Park
Just when you thought the testing saga at the Australian Open couldn’t take another hit, superstar Andrey Rublev has revealed he travelled to Australia while Covid positive.
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Just when you thought the testing saga at the Australian Open couldn’t take another hit, superstar Andrey Rublev has revealed he travelled to Australia while Covid positive.
The world No. 6 contracted the virus at the end of December but was granted permission to travel anyway.
Amid widespread disbelief that the grand slam was not making player testing mandatory and players were instead being asked to abide by an “honesty system”, Rublev also admitted he was not testing himself at all.
“I am not being tested personally now because I just got over the coronavirus,” he said.
“When I flew to Australia, I was still positive, but the level of Covid SS, as it is called, I will not lie, it was very low and not dangerous.
“I was allowed to enter the country. In addition, I spent more than 10 days in quarantine.”
Apparently, he didn’t break any rules and all protocols were followed. It was suspected his positive test was the result of “viral shedding”.
There are some tweets popping up regarding Andrey Rublev saying (via Sportsklub) he was still positive for covid-19 when he flew to Australia. If true, just know this can happen and is detailed in the Australian Department of Health "inbound international travel" regulations: pic.twitter.com/dSslvHFDfM
— Gaspar Ribeiro Lança (@gasparlanca) January 20, 2022
Coronavirus could unknowingly sweep through the Australian Open with Tennis Australia refusing to fall into line with other sports by mandating that players get tested.
A week after failed qualifier Bernard Tomic blew up at a chair umpire over the substandard testing regime, it has been confirmed that an “honesty system” is in place at Melbourne Park, where players are offered daily Rapid-Antigen tests to take home but can choose to throw them in the bin if they wish.
“I cannot believe nobody’s getting tested,” Tomic ranted on court before he tested positive.
“They’re allowing players to come on the court with rapid tests in their room, come on … no official PCR testing.”
News Corp understands that players who record a positive RAT during the Australian Open would forfeit their place because they would undergo a PCR test and be put into isolation.
But it is up to the players to monitor for symptoms and actually do the tests, meaning they would effectively self-select out of the Open by choosing to test and then reporting a positive reading.
Players who progress beyond the third round on Friday and Saturday will bank a minimum of $328,000 – a life-changing amount for some lowly-ranked players.
Even Aussie wildcard Maddison Inglis, who has booked her place in the third round, admitted she was only testing herself weekly – instead of daily.
Inglis, 24, added that she had been avoiding eating out to limit her risk of exposure.
While any player who exhibits symptoms faces a mandatory test, world No.3 Alexander Zverev claimed several players were stepping on to the court with the virus in an explosive comment that brightened the spotlight on Tennis Australia’s protocols.
Ashes cricketers were ordered to undergo daily PCR and RAT tests during the summer while the Big Bash League used 300 rapid tests daily – and uncovered more than 50 positive cases inside its bubble.
AFL Women’s players must complete rapid antigen tests on arrival to both training and matches and the virus is knocking on the door of Melbourne Park with about 50 per cent of male AFL players at Victorian clubs testing positive.
But under-siege Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley, who finally broke his silence on Thursday by speaking to the host broadcaster, backed his sport’s “rigorous” detection program.
“Coming into Australia, every player had to test ... on days five and seven they had to test,” Tiley said.
“There is also mandatory symptomatic testing and every player is provided each day with a Rapid Antigen kit they can pick up either at the hotel or here on-site.
“So far it has worked well and been successful. (We’ll be) continuing with the testing program, the physical distance and wearing the masks – you can see the players all have masks – (and) constantly reminding them about hygiene and staying safe.
“Not only it keeps them safe but it ensures we keep Victorians safe which has been our goal from the beginning.”
Spain’s Garbine Muguruza has been testing herself every second day in her hotel room, but said she had not been forced to present her results to any officials.
“It’s not mandatory. I still do it … (but) it’s an optional thing.”
Aussie Sam Stosur urged players to do the right thing.
“I’m doing the rapid testing every day, and following what their advice is and taking care of that,” Stosur told News Corp.
“Obviously a lot of self-responsibility has got to go on players, staff, everyone that is here.
“You’ve got to do your part to keep it as safe as it can be. In Australia, Victoria, it is out there so you’ve just got to do what you can.”
Unlike Inglis, France’s Alize Cornet told News Corp she had no concerns about dining at Southbank restaurants, walking along the Yarra River and bike riding through the city, despite the explosion of Omicron in Melbourne.
“I’m hoping the vaccine works and I get protected,” Cornet said.
“But you cannot stop living. You can’t stop going to the restaurants and enjoying yourself otherwise you live in the bubble forever – and I don’t want to do that.”
Exposed: Major flaw in Aus Open player Covid testing
Tennis Australia says its Covid testing regime will not change in the wake of Alexander Zverev’s explosive claims that “quite a few players have it” at the Australian Open.
As it stands, players are provided with rapid antigen tests on-site daily, but it is based on an honesty system as to whether they complete them.
But it is their personal responsibility to monitor for symptoms and actually do the tests.
Zverev’s comments, which came after Australian Bernard Tomic lashed the testing protocols, raise questions as to how many players are actually completing rapid tests each day, particularly if they have no symptoms and consider themselves a chance to progress.
Any player who exhibits symptoms faces a mandatory test.
Spain’s Garbine Muguruza confirmed that there was no mandatory testing for players after her second round defeat to Alize Cornet.
“Me I test every two days by myself in my room,” she said. “It’s not mandatory. I still do it.
“(It’s an) optional thing.”
Muguruza added that she was not forced to present her results to anyone.
Masks must be worn at all times on site except when playing, eating or drinking.
The tournament also encourages social distancing and safe hygiene measures, including additional cleaning.
All official attendees on site – including media and staff – are provided with RATs each day to complete. By comparison, AFL Women’s players must complete rapid antigen tests on arrival to both training and matches, while cricket players have been subjected to mandatory daily PCR tests throughout the summer.
“I cannot believe nobody’s getting tested,” Tomic blasted in a mid-match rant during qualifying last week.
“They’re allowing players to come on the court with rapid tests in their room. Come on.
“No official PCR testing.”
France’s Alize Cornet told News Corp she had no concerns about dining at fancy Southbank restaurants along the Yarra river and bike riding around the city during the Australian Open, despite the explosion of Omicron in Melbourne.
“I’m always wearing a mask and washing my hands all the time and also hoping the vaccine works and I get protected (if I do get the virus),” Cornet said.
“But you cannot stop living. You can’t stop going to the restaurants and enjoying yourself otherwise you live in the bubble forever – and I don’t want to do that.”
Cricket Australia’s testing regime evolved throughout the summer, but at its peak – and when positives emerged in England’s Ashes camp – players were forced to undergo daily PCR and Rapid-Antigen tests.
That outbreak wiped England’s head coach Chris Silverwood and bowling coaches Jeetan Patel and Jon Lewis out of the SCG Test, along with Australian batsman Travis Head.
The Big Bash League detected more than 50 cases and everyone infected had to produce two negative rapid tests and book in a doctor consultation after their mandatory seven-day isolation period before they were approved to reintegrate back into the bubble.
By January, every BBL player had to produce a negative rapid test on gameday before they were allowed to enter the ground.
AUS OPEN COVID SAFE PLAYER PROTOCOLS:
– Daily Rapid Antigen tests provided; testing clinics open for extended hours both onsite and at the player hotel; mandatory symptomatic testing;
– mask wearing, including in player box – masks to be worn at all times on site except when playing, exercising or eating and drinking;
– physical distancing – stay 1.5m apart wherever possible;
– safe hygiene, increased hand washing and sanitising;
– enhanced cleanliness in all areas, additional cleaning.
PLAYERS HERE HAVE COVID
German superstar Alexander Zverev has lifted the lid on the Australian Open’s terrifying Covid crisis, revealing he suspects Covid-positive players are competing at this year’s event.
And the Olympic gold medal winner is going to extraordinary lengths to protect his title hopes this year.
On Wednesday, Frenchman Ugo Humbert explained he tested positive to Covid just hours after being eliminated from the tournament by countryman Richard Gasquet – and Zverev believes he’s far from the only athlete who could be carrying the virus.
The freedom afforded players, who this year can mingle with the public in bars and restaurants, could lead to a rise in players testing positive according to Zverev
“I think this year in Australia is a lot more cases than last year, simple as that,” Zverev said after thumping Australia’s John Millman in straight sets to advance to the third round, where he will face qualifier Radu Albot.
“And we are allowed to go outside to eat, allowed to do whatever we want, so I think it’s natural that more people get Covid.
“My brother, when he arrived, he had it. He was in quarantine in Sydney, and now he obviously doesn’t have it anymore, but I think quite a few players had it when they arrived.
“Quite a few players I think have it now. We are not getting tested, so I think if we would get tested there would be probably more positives than there are now, in a way.”
Numerous players, including Australians Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic and Spanish legend Rafael Nadal, tested positive to the virus in the weeks leading up to the first grand slam of the year
In qualifying, Tomic complained about the lack of PCR testing of players when he made the astonishing mid-match admission that he suspected he had Covid.
“I cannot believe nobody is getting tested,” Tomic told chair umpire Aline Da Rocha Nocinto.
“They are allowing players to come onto the court with rapid tests in their room – c’mon. No official PCR testing.”
Tomic would test positive two days after losing his qualifying match to Roman Safiullin, who reached the main draw as a lucky loser but crashed out in the first round.
Zverev, one of the favourites for this year’s men’s title in the absence of nine-time champion Novak Djokovic, has gone to great lengths to put himself in a self-enforced bubble in a bid to keep his hopes of a maiden grand slam triumph alive.
“I’m here to play the tournament, and I understand that there is a lot of cases in Melbourne, there is a lot of cases in Australia all around,” he said.
“So I don’t do much outside. I haven’t been to any restaurants yet. I haven’t been out.
“I haven’t been anywhere but the hotel room and the courts, so I’m kind of doing a bubble for myself, simply because I don’t want to take any risks and I want to give myself the best chance possible to do well here.
“If I get Covid, then that’s obviously not going to happen.”
NO-JAB, NO-PLAY PUSH AS STAR TESTS POSITIVE
Two-time Grand Slam champion Victoria Azarenka has thrown her support behind a vaccine mandate on the women’s tour, as tennis wrestles with the fallout of the saga surrounding unvaccinated Novak Djokovic.
The veteran Azarenka is a long-time member of the powerful WTA Players’ Council, which is working through the challenges posed by coronavirus.
Those were laid bare by the chaos and confusion that engulfed vaccine-sceptic Djokovic, who was deported on the eve of the Australian Open.
Speaking in Melbourne, Azarenka admitted it could be legally challenging to enforce but she believes it would be “helpful for everybody” if the WTA Tour considered a no-jab, no-play policy.
“Well, from my standpoint it’s been very clear. I believe in science. I believe in getting vaccinated, that’s what I did for myself,” the 32-year-old Belarusian said.
“If you ask me just for my opinion if that should be the case, I think it would just be helpful for everybody in the world, especially when we are travelling internationally.”
But the former world number one acknowledged that forcing people to be jabbed could prove problematic.
“Some countries will not allow mandates. I think to impose something legally on the WTA Tour can be a challenge, I think that’s something that we are facing,” she said.
Hours after Azarenka’s comments, the tournament was hit with its first big Covid news of 2022.
French player Ugo Humbert tested positive to Covid on Tuesday.
Humbert played his opening round singles clash on Tuesday, losing to Richard Gasquet in a tight four-set match.
The 23-year-old took an “exit test” after his match, which returned a positive result.
In a statement on this Instagram, Humbert wrote:
“I was tested positive on my exit test yesterday and I’ll stay one more week in isolation in Australia. Thanks for your support and see you soon.”
Gasquet is scheduled to play his second round match on Thursday afternoon.
Spanish legend Rafael Nadal, who sits on the ATP Players’ Council, said he was “no one to say” whether there should be a uniform policy for vaccines at all men’s tournaments.
But the vaccinated 20-time Grand Slam winner, who was “very sick” with Covid last month, said getting the jab made sense.
“We went through bubbles for two years, very challenging conditions. If everybody’s vaccinated, we are allowed to improve our life on the tour and most importantly our life outside of the tour,” he said.
To play at the Australian Open players must be vaccinated, unless they have a medical exemption.
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