MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Novak Djokovic took a walk in the park and Serena Williams took her daughter to the zoo as the world’s top tennis players made the most of their freedom after 14 days of quarantine ahead. on the Australian Open on Friday.
Djokovic, Williams and Rafa Nadal were among a select group of players locked up in Adelaide rather than Melbourne and will all play show matches in the city later on Friday.
“We can only say a big thank you to South Australia and for the commendable work that Tennis Australia has been doing to allow us to play this tournament,” Nadal told reporters, summarizing on ideas expressed by all the players.
Djokovic, who drew heavy criticism last week after sending a letter to organizers calling for changes to the quarantine rules, said the conditions were “good for us, considering the conditions”.
The players were allowed to go out for five hours each day during their quarantine but Djokovic said he went to a local park on his first morning in Australia without restrictions.
“Just put your feet on the ground, you know, just do something I haven’t had a chance to do,” said number one in the world.
“Getting the place, I think, is what we all missed.”
Williams quarantine had an extra crescent in the shape of her 3-year-old daughter and celebrated their release with a trip to Adelaide Zoo.
“We had a calendar in our room and every day we marked an ‘X’ on the last day and a big circle on the quarantine completion day and promised to take her to the zoo to make koalas and to see a kangaroo, ”she said.
“I’m so glad the quarantine is over, because it’s hard to be in a room with a 3-year-old and be a best friend … But honestly I wouldn’t trade anything to spend hours with her, yes it was a lot of fun. ”
Williams will be vying for her 24th Grand Slam title at Melbourne Park, which would link him to Margaret Court of Australia as the most successful player ever.
“It’s always good to have goals that you try to reach and sort of happen,” Williams said.
Written by Nick Mulvenney in Sydney, edited by Peter Rutherford