London – Andy Murray’s participation in the Australian Open has been questioned after it emerged on Thursday that he had been positive for the coronavirus.
The former British world No. 1 planned to travel to Australia on one of a series of scripts organized by the competition organizers but is still alone at home in London.
Murray, apparently in good health, is understood to be hoping he can reach Australia at a later date.
Australian Open organizers wished the 33-year-old a speedy recovery but it was unclear if he would still have a chance to take part.
“Andrew Murray has advised that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and is lonely at home in the UK,” he tweeted.
“Unfortunately, this means that he will not be able to join the official AO card flights arriving in Australia in the coming days to go through the quarantine period with the other players.
“Andrew is loved by AO fans, and we know how keen he was to compete here in Melbourne and how hard he had worked for this opportunity. “
The Australian five-time open runner was knocked out of an ATP event last week in Delray Beach, Florida, for wanting to “reduce the risks” in the run-up to this year’s first Grand Slam.
Murray, who has dropped to 123rd in the world rankings, was given a wild card for the Australian Open which starts on February 8, three weeks longer than usual.
The three-time top winner is hoping to make his first appearance in Melbourne from the emotional events of 2019, when he revealed the extent of his right hip problem and took the opportunity to retire.
Murray has been able to return to play after hip replacement work but has had a number of problems since then.
The Scot was able to play just seven official matches in 2020 due to pelvic injury, and how the season was triggered by a coronavirus.
More than 1,200 players and fans will arrive in Australia from Thursday for 14 days of quarantine.
Craig Tiley, director of the Australian Open tournament, has spent months trying to deal with the logical nightmare of hosting the Grand Slam in a time of pandemic.
Tennis Australia said players were only allowed to enter the country with confirmation of a negative COVID-19 test before they left, or by consent as a case recovered with the permission of the Australian government.
In another blow, World No. 16 and U.S. Open vice-runner Madison Keys said she had also tested positive for COVID-19.
“I am extremely disappointed not to be able to play in the coming weeks after training hard in the off-season and experiencing Australian Tennis and the tours have done so much to bring these events to fruition. result, ”said the 25-year-old.
“I am lonely at home. I’m looking forward to being back on tour next month. ”
Keys made the semi-finals of the 2015 Australian Open.
On Wednesday, Rafael Nadal coach Carlos Moya said he will not attend the Australian Open due to coronavirus travel restrictions.
Nadal is aiming to capture a 21st major title in Melbourne, which would put him ahead of Roger Federer’s 20 as the most successful men’s player ever.
Meanwhile, Dominic Thiem, World Open 3 and U.S. champion, has to travel to Australia without his coach Nicolas Massu who was also positive for coronavirus.
Earlier Thursday, tennis chiefs claimed that Tennys Sandgren in America was not a coronavirus threat after he expressed concern by tweeting that he had boarded a flight for the Australian Open despite being sidelined. positive test.
The No. 50 world sent out a series of tweets before he left Los Angeles, initially saying he tested positive on Monday and would miss his flight.
It was his second positive result, after being tested with COVID-19 in November.
But an hour later he said: “Wow I’m on the plane. Maybe I held my breath too long. Craig Tiley is a wizard. ”
Tennis Australia said: “As for Tennys Sandgren, who has self-declared that he had previously confirmed at the end of November, Victoria’s health authorities had to review his medical file.
“When that investigation was completed, he was evicted.”
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