Australian Open: Rumbling in the tennis bubble
The discussions before the Australian Open are becoming more acute: Stars like Novak Djokovic are complaining about the strict quarantine, others are demanding more empathy.
by SID
last edit: Jan 19, 2021, 06:32 pm
Confusion over supposedly positive tested professionals, loud complaints about conditions "like in prison" and growing incomprehension for complaining stars: There is a lot of rumbling in the Australian tennis bubble. The quarantine period in Melbourne and Adelaide has only just begun - but conflicts are already emerging.
The Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut complained that he felt imprisoned, behind bars. "That's exactly how it is. These people have no idea about tennis, about training grounds, no idea about anything," grumbled the number 13 in the world: "That's why it's a complete disaster." He later apologized that the "private conversation" had been published without his knowledge and taken out of context. It led to heated discussions.
However, no player tested positive
The back and forth about two positive tests assigned to players by the health authority of the state of Victoria also didn't calm down on Tuesday. A little later, however, tournament director Craig Tiley disagreed. "No," he said, according to the Australian media, "none of them are players." There is currently a total of seven cases officially in connection with the Australian Open.
The tournament is not due to start until February 8th, but the turmoil is already high in Australia. The complaints of some actors about the strict hygiene measures anger parts of the population, which has been strictly controlled for months. Superstar Novak Djokovic's request for further privileges triggered a thunderous echo. Australian media portrayed the letter as petulant and selfish, while showing pictures of Djokovic wearing no mask in a players minibus. In Adelaide, the Serb benefits from preferential treatment to some of the top players.
Kerber exudes positive energy
But there are also a large number of professionals who appreciate the privilege of fighting for princely prize money in Australia, which has so far been little affected by Corona. "I'm definitely grateful that we can play," said Germany's number three Dominik Koepfer on Instagram in an interview with coach Christopher Kas: "You don't have to complain about everything every day and just try to be positive. "
2016 winner Angelique Kerber also exuded positive energy with a happy video on her 33rd birthday on Monday, although she belongs to the group of more than 70 players who have to deal with tightening the measures. After positive cases on their flights, the affected actors are not allowed to train out of the room for 14 days and accordingly not on the field. A shortening of this phase is currently not in sight.
Siegemund is creative
So it's important to make the best of the situation. Several professionals demonstrated their creativity and hit balls in mattresses, played volleys over the bed like Laura Siegemund or set up an entire coordination course in the room. All with the aim of being as fit as possible in the preparation tournaments at the end of the month.
Then the conditions will be difficult in the Australian heat, double expertAndreas Mies also emphasized on Sky Sport News HD: "Of course this is anything but good preparation for one of the most important tournaments of the year."