Superstars to hit the courts as Australian Open gamble takes next big step

As international tennis stars arrive amid accusations of hypocrisy, another major stress test looms for the Australian Open.

Serena Williams and her daughter arrive in Adelaide to begin a fortnight of quarantine ahead of the Australian Open Picture: AFP

The next stress test of the COVID-safe protocols for the Australian Open will occur this weekend when the superstars of tennis hit the courts.

Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal were among those to arrive in Australia early on Friday morning to begin a fortnight of hotel quarantine – with a caveat.

While other entrants to Australia are required to remain in their hotel for the duration of their quarantine, players will be allowed a five-hour window daily in order to practise and train after providing a negative test.

Without this exception granted it was likely the summer of tennis would not have proceeded as players need to be able to train to compete.

It’s a double-edged sword. This daily window for players is also the biggest threat to the tournaments with the potential for a breach given players have come from COVID-19 hot spots in Europe and North America, along with Asia and the Middle East.

More than 1200 players and coaches over the past 48 hours, were part of the great Australian Open airlift for the 2021 edition, with planes ferrying competitors across the world at a 25 per cent capacity.

The Victorian arrivals are based at the Grand Hyatt in the city, the Pullman Albert Park and the View on St Kilda Rd and will train at Melbourne Park or Albert Reserve.

Renowned French coach Patrick Mouratoglou, whose charge Williams is seeking a 24th grand slam title, was among those to praise tournament director Craig Tiley.

“Realising that the Australian Open is going to take place for real, after so many months of uncertainty, I can’t imagine how much work and negotiation its organisation has required, but it is quite impressive in this environment to be able to put it together,” he posted on social media.

There have already been COVID-19 casualties to those who had hoped to make the trip.

Five-time finalist Andy Murray tested positive for coronavirus and is now isolating in London. It appears extremely unlikely the dual-Wimbledon champion will be able to make the trip.

Nor will former US Open runner-up Madison Keys, who announced she will be unable to travel to Melbourne after contracting the virus.

“I’m very disappointed not to 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,” she said.

Sloane Stephens experienced a career highlight when defeating Keys to win the 2017 US Open.

The American offered her peers another insight into why they should be taking every precaution regarding COVID-19 when revealing her grandmother and aunty had died of the virus in recent weeks.

“My heartache feels endlessly deep,” she said.

“We recently put my grandma and aunt to rest within weeks of each other. Covid took Auntie Annie the day after Christmas and then took my grandmother home last Sunday.”

It is the type of scenario that explains why some Victorians, who experienced a second lockdown lasting four months through winter, are wary of the arrival of players.

Both the Victorian government and Tennis Australia are adamant the protocols in place have greatly reduced any risks to the community.

They are confident the players, which are split between Melbourne and Adelaide with the majority in Victoria, will comply with restrictions.

Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley is pleased authorities in Adelaide have also instilled stringent protocols.

“I’m very pleased to see that they have essentially replicated the Victorian quarantine system, all the way down to the bubbles, all the way to the testing arrangements, and all the way down to the consequences should those be breached,” he said.

Most of the top-ranked players are based in Adelaide, with Williams, Nadal and Djokovic among those who will appear in an exhibition at Memorial Drive in late January.

World No 1 Ash Barty, who headed to Victoria before Brisbane was declared a hotspot, had been practising at Melbourne Park.

The 24-year-old is hopeful of playing the Adelaide exhibition ahead of her return to the tour in a WTA Tour event in Melbourne in the first week of February.

There was surprise when Dayana Yastremska, who was beaten by Barty in the final of the Adelaide International last year, was on a flight to Melbourne.

The Ukrainian was provisionally suspended last week as a result of a positive drug test recorded in November, but there is no official confirmation regarding her participation nor evidence of an appeal.