Australian Open 2021: Andy Murray, Roger Federer, Madison Keys all out of Aus Open

The latest big name withdrawal from the Australian Open adds to a list of stars staying away from Melbourne, including Grand Slam winners and world No.1s.

The hits just keep coming for the Australian Open field.

With former world No.1 Andy Murray confirming he will not be attending the event due to quarantine rules, the list of big name non-participants grows.

Fears are also growing that several stars may miss the competition due to extended quarantines, with Spanish ace Paula Badosa having to restart her lockdown after testing positive to COVID-19.

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Andy Murray has not been able to find a solution to playing in the Australian Open after testing positive for coronavirus. Picture: Julian Finney/Getty Images for LTA

“Gutted to share that I won’t be flying out to Australia to compete at the Australian Open,” Murray said.

“We’ve been in constant dialogue with Tennis Australia to try and find a solution which would allow some form of workable quarantine, but we couldn’t make it work.

“I want to thank everyone there for their efforts, I’m devastated not to be playing out in Australia. It’s a country and tournament that I love.”

AUSTRALIAN OPEN COVID HITLIST

Players not coming:

Women:

Madison Keys

Amanda Anismova

Men:

Roger Federer

John Isner

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

Denis Kudla

Andy Murray

Madison Keys of the USA will not be heading to Melbourne for the 2021 Australian Open Picture: AAP Image/Rob Prezioso

KEYS CUTS HERSELF FROM AUS OPEN FIELD

American star Madison Keys has also tested positive for the coronavirus and won’t make the trip to Melbourne.

“I wanted to let you know that I unfortunately tested positive for COVID-19 before I was supposed to fly to Australia,” Keys tweeted.

“I’m very disappointed to not be able to play in the coming weeks after training hard in the off-season and knowing Tennis Australia and the tours did so much to make these events happen.”

Keys, who made the Open semi-finals in 2015 and the quarter-finals in 2018, is self-isolating at home and plans to return to the WTA Tour at some stage next month.

pic.twitter.com/sXy3yu18MT

— Madison Keys (@Madison_Keys) January 14, 2021

HOW DID ‘COVID POSITIVE’ STAR BOARD FLIGHT TO MELBOURNE?

American tennis player Tennys Sandgren received special government clearance to travel to Melbourne despite twice testing positive to COVID-19, including as recently as Monday.

The dual Australian Open quarter-finalist posted a frenzy of updates on his Twitter account on Thursday that cast doubt on whether he would be able to leave Los Angeles for Australia.

Sandgren originally believed he wouldn’t be able to depart, then thought he would be delayed until Friday, before suddenly tweeting he was on the plane headed for Melbourne.

Tennis Australia was forced to clarify the baffling circumstances, given rules stated that players, support staff and officials must test negative before boarding any of the 15 charter flights.

Tennys Sandgren has officially arrived in Melbourne despite testing positive for COVID-19 ahead of the Australian Open 👀 https://t.co/wqdfr2RqPv

🎥: tsandgren7 pic.twitter.com/jciladsSfJ

— Herald Sun Sport (@heraldsunsport) January 15, 2021

Anyone travelling to the Australian Open who previously tested positive to the coronavirus, like Sandgren, must provide additional and detailed medical information as proof they are recovered or no longer infectious.

“In the case of Tennys Sandgren, who has self-disclosed that he previously tested positive in late November, his medical file had to be reviewed by Victorian health authorities,” TA’s statement read.

“Upon completion of that review, he was cleared to fly.”

Covid positive over thanksgiving
Covid positive on monday

Yet pcr tests are the “gold standard”?

Atleast I get to keep my points 😂

— Tennys Sandgren (@TennysSandgren) January 13, 2021

Heard from several passengers onboard now that the #AusOpen flight leaving from LAX has been forced to returned to its gate. 😬

— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 14, 2021

An earlier TA response at the Herald Sun’s request stated that “some people who have recovered from COVID-19 and who are non-infectious can continue to shed the virus for several months”.

Police Minister Lisa Neville backed the Sandgren decision, tweeting: “No one who is COVID positive for the first time – or could still be infectious – will be allowed in for the Aus Open.”

Sandgren, who initially tested positive on Thanksgiving, on November 26, credited TA chief executive and Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley with solving the issue.

“Wow I’m on the plane,” the world No.50 tweeted.

Tennys Sandgren is a two-time quarterfinalist at the Open. Picture: Mark Stewart

A lot couch virologists out there. My two tests were less than 8 weeks a part. I was sick in November, totally healthy now. There’s not a single documented case where I would be contagious at this point. Totally recovered!

— Tennys Sandgren (@TennysSandgren) January 14, 2021

“Maybe I just held my breath too long. Craig Tiley is a wizard.”

Strict government guidelines demand all international arrivals be tested on landing, before isolating in their hotel – under COVID Quarantine Victoria authority – until they receive another negative result.

They are then tested daily throughout their mandatory 14-day quarantine period, during which they can leave their hotel room to train for a maximum of five hours a day.

There was one more twist on Sandgren’s dramatic day, when his charter flight departing LAX airport was forced to briefly return to its gate before leaving for Melbourne.