It has been the most commented news by everyone in this last week. Upon returning to Spain from Abu Dhabi, Rafael Nadal revealed on social media that he had tested positive for coronavirus. A total of four players who have been contesting the Mubadala World Tennis Championship have confirmed that they suffer from the disease with the Omicron variant. After these last events, many are the doubts that arise in the heads of many. With the Australian Open just around the corner, it is not clear how this type of situation will affect the players who have tested positive. Is the tournament in jeopardy for them?
The CEO of Tennis Australia, Craig Tiley, in statements collected by Tennis Head reassures all tennis fans: “I am sure that Nadal will play the Australian Open. Players who test positive for coronavirus will be isolated for a time at home and they will lead a normal life when they are already negative. If you are going to test positive for COVID-19 and want to play the Australian Open, your moment would be now. A little later there would be problems and your participation in the tournament would be highly in doubt. “
The director of the Australian Open has recognized in an interview that preparing for the first Grand Slam of this year is being more complicated than last year: “2021 was complicated but it was a little easier than this year. 2022 has been ten times more complicated than 2021. It was a walk compared to what we will have next year. There are many variables and you do not know how it could affect the tournament and especially the people. Every day I wake up in the morning and I just wait for good news. If the players and staff share a room with someone and that person tests positive, everyone in that room has to isolate themselves for seven days. “
Tiley’s advice to players
Finally, Craig Tiley says that players should be smart: “The advice I give to players is simple: ‘get your own room.’ In 2021 we set out to protect all players who came from environments devastated by the virus. In 2022 the objective is a totally different one, it is to protect all the players and fans who do not obtain the Omicrón variant or another variant different from the virus. We hope that the tournament runs smoothly and we can witness a good level of tennis, “he concluded Tiley.
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