Australian Open Under Pressure Over 'optional' Covid Tests
Zeeshan Mehtab Published January 20, 2022 | 01:28 PM
The Australian Open was under growing pressure Thursday to make Covid tests mandatory after leading players openly questioned the seemingly lax policy and the Grand Slam got its first positive case
Melbourne, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Jan, 2022 ) :The Australian Open was under growing pressure Thursday to make Covid tests mandatory after leading players openly questioned the seemingly lax policy and the Grand Slam got its first positive case.
Frenchman Ugo Humbert said following his first-round exit on Tuesday that he tested positive on his exit test to leave Australia and would isolate for a week.
Men's third seed Alexander Zverev said in response that players were not getting tested, even as infection numbers surge in Australia, and believes that "quite a few players" are infected, without providing evidence.
Official attendees at Melbourne Park, such as tournament staff, are provided with rapid antigen tests each day and must be negative to remain on site.
But Tennis Australia (TA), which organises the Australian Open, says players only need to test if they have Covid symptoms.
Zverev's remarks threw another spotlight on Covid policies at the Australian Open, which were already under scrutiny following the saga of deported defending champion Novak Djokovic.
Women's third seed Garbine Muguruza called testing for players an "optional thing".
"Me, I test every two days by myself in my room. It's not mandatory. I still do it," she said.
Asked if players had to show test results when they arrived at Melbourne Park, the Spaniard added: "No, don't have to."
Related Topics
Recent Stories
IHC adjourns PTI founder, Qureshi's appeal till Thursday
CDWP recommends 3 projects to ECNEC for approval
Tarar assures APNS to resolve issues of newspaper industry
Pakistan urged to capitalize on economic stability, for Tobacco Tax Reforms
N. Macedonia polls set to upend ties with EU neighbours
Croatia's ruling party reaches coalition deal with right wing
Bayern coach Tuchel makes three changes for Madrid showdown
Olympic flame arrives on French soil for Paris Games
Punjab Finance Minister announces expansion of Social Protection Authority's man ..
Kenya inks deal to end doctors' strike
Brazil flooding death toll reaches 100
Lebanon security source says five killed in Israeli strikes on south
More Stories From Sports
-
Bayern coach Tuchel makes three changes for Madrid showdown
4 hours ago -
Olympic flame arrives on French soil for Paris Games
4 hours ago -
16th CNS international squash championship begins
5 hours ago -
Rana hopes Hockey team to play final in the Azlan Shah tournament
5 hours ago -
SA Gardens, Wapda quality for National Challenge Cup semis
7 hours ago -
Olympic flame to arrive on French soil
7 hours ago
-
Lahore, Karachi to face each other in final of National Women’s One-Day Tournament
8 hours ago -
Pakistan Jr. Tennis team for South Asian Tennis Championship announced
8 hours ago -
GCP wins overall trophy of KP HED Inter-College Boys Games
10 hours ago -
Sports teaches discipline, unity, tolerance: Meena Khan
10 hours ago -
4th Union Club Gatorade trophy ranking tennis championship concludes
11 hours ago -
Bicycle race organized to promote of sports activities among youth
9 hours ago