Tennis

Nadal Responds To Criticism Over Australian Open Covid-19 Restrictions

Players have been forced to quarantine after arriving on flights with positive Covid-19 cases.

Image via Pixabay

The Australian Open begins on 8 February, but the event has already attracted controversy after organizers forced 72 players into two-week forced isolation periods.

All of the players currently quarantining arrived on flights with people who have tested positive for Covid-19. Some of the players are stuck in their hotel rooms in Melbourne, preparing to begin the tournament without a proper warm-up. Many of the top players are housed in Adelaide, ready to move to Melbourne for the start of the championship. Pictures of men’s world no. 1 Novak Djokovic playing tennis on his balcony have sparked complaints that top players have been put in better accommodation than lower seeds.

The controversy reached a head when Djokovic sent a list of suggestions to Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley, which asked for isolation periods to be lessened and players be relocated to “private houses with tennis courts.” The list prompted Australian player Nick Kyrgios to call Djokovic “a tool” on social media.

Most recently, Argentinian player, Guido Pella, spoke out in support of Djokovic, saying, “At least he said something.” He added, “I’m surprised with Nadal and Thiem’s silence.”

Nadal has since responded, saying in an interview with ESPN, “Some need to make public all these things they do for others. Some of us do it in a more private way without having to publicize everything.”

He continued, “I have not seen some of those who have complained so much about the conditions in Adelaide complaining about the conditions of the more than 20 players who have not practiced.”

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