Andrews government refuses to let tennis stars arrive in time to quarantine for Australian Open

The world’s top players are reacting to concerns Australian Open lead in tournaments will be shelved because of quarantine delays and they aren’t happy.

Playing the Australian Open with no preparation time would be “very dangerous”, Brazilian doubles specialist Bruno Soares has warned.

Australian Open boss Craig Tiley has told the world’s top players the fate of two weeks of lead up events “depend entirely” on what quarantine conditions will be imposed on them.

And its caused concern among the playing group about having to play one of the year’s biggest tournaments with no warm up.

In an email to players Tiley confirmed players would not be able to fly in during December as originally planned.

“We are currently seeking further details on what this means for the first two weeks of January and whether we will be able to run tournaments during this time,” he wrote.

“This will depend entirely on the quarantine conditions imposed ... and whether they allow for tournaments to be run in a quarantine bubble — ie. without crowds.”

International tennis stars like Rafael Nadal will not be able to quarantine in time to play lead-up events for the Australian Open. Picture: Mark Stewart

Tiley apologised for the uncertainly that was “well out of our control”.

“Despite the uncertainty of what the first two weeks of January look like, we are still endeavouring to host a full program of events this summer.”

Soares said it would be tough to play with no practice.

“If we have to quarantine for 14 days inside a room and then go play a Grand Slam, I mean, I will do it because it’s my job and I have to find a way,” he said.

“But I think it’s quite dangerous for the players with no preparation I think to go there and compete right away. I think it’s physically very dangerous.”

Alexander Zverev said he was also concerned.

“If we can’t even practise for 14 days and we have to go out to play the Australian Open, it’s a lottery,” he said.

“I mean, you can basically flip a coin who wins.”

Reigning Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic said he would be prepared for the tournament to be pushed back a week.

“I’m planning to play Australian Open for sure,” he said.

“I mean, I would like to go there and I’m ready to quarantine for two weeks and whatever is necessary for me to be able to play.

“I hope that there is going to be support and understanding from the Victorian and Australian government for the players and for Tennis Australia and that they will allow players to compete in the second week of quarantine.”

The government has refused to sign off on a quarantine plan that would see star players enter a two-week “bubble’’ in Melbourne that Tennis Australia wants to start mid-December.

The Herald Sun has been told the government does not want international stars to enter Victoria before January, jolting quarantine and tournament plans into limbo.

The Association of Tennis Professionals said “there are some new challenges around the previously planned arrival dates’’ for players and team members and “uncertainty about the start of the 2021 season’’.

Jim Courier, pictured with Novak Djokovic, says ‘lots of things are up in the air’. Picture: AP

Premier Daniel Andrews on Wednesday would not clarify his government’s position on when players would be allowed into Victoria.

He denied the delay was because Victoria’s Hotel Quarantine Inquiry into the state’s deadly second COVID wave was not due to table its report until late December.

Sources close to the government said it was still possible that players could arrive before January 1, but arrangements had not been finalised.

“We are confident that we will finish up with an Australian Open – it is a very important event – but there is a lot of work to be done to make sure that is as safe as possible,’’ Mr Andrews said.

But Aussie tennis ace John Millman said the standoff put players in a “challenging’ position and could “turn off’’ stars considering coming.

“I’m not privy to the war room talks the guys at Tennis Australia are having to face with the government but I think it’s tough,’’ he said.

“The general feeling among the players is that everyone is a little anxious to have a few more definitive answers from the state government to see what is happening.’’

Former premier Jeff Kennett said: “The premier has an obligation to rebuild the state and to allow those who can rebuild the state to do so under safe conditions.

“We should do everything we can to ensure our major events can be resumed, both in terms of play and attendances by the public, as soon as possible, under whatever might be the COVID-safe rules of the time,’’ he said.

“If these people are going to come from overseas to quarantine … surely there can be no argument.

“A modern premier would be doing all they could to ensure the Australian Open, plus the other tournaments that have been suggested we will attract, actually occur.’’

The Open is scheduled for January 18-31, meaning players would have little time to prepare for the first grand slam of the year if they arrived on January 1 and entered two weeks of quarantine.

Open organisers are confident the grand slam will go on but are growing increasingly concerned about the time they have to organise the major event and safely get players into Victoria.

The Herald Sun this week revealed all summer lead-in events to the Open would be moved from interstate to Melbourne, to ensure global stars such as Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are in town for the event.

Those lead-in events are now in jeopardy and may have to be played after the Open, when star players usually fly back to their home countries.

It means a string of exciting tournaments that were set to be played in Melbourne and regional Victoria between December and February will likely be played without star players, if at all.

Tennis Australia has been contacted for comment.

Tennis great and broadcaster Jim Courier said there were “lots of things up in the air’’.

“Spare a thought for Tennis Australia,’’ he said.

“I can’t imagine … they are getting any sleep at all.

“But obviously you have to follow the rules of the Government and try to thread the needle.”

World No.1 Novak Djokovic told The Times of London he hoped the Open “will happen’’.

“I’m just hoping for the sake of tennis and the sake of players that we will have the Australian Open and also the possibility of the ATP Cup and a couple more tournaments at least,’’ he said.

“We don’t know whether we choose where we do the quarantine or whether we have to follow the designated places, resorts and hotels.

“It is challenging.”

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