Australian Open: Sousa cancels, Stebe in the main field
Portuguese Joao Sousa has announced that he tested positive for the corona virus before departing for Australia. A subsequent journey is excluded. Cedrik-Marcel Stebe moves into the main field of the Australian Open.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Jan 23, 2021, 05:26 pm
His last test was positive, according to Sousa, but a trip to Australia is not possible due to the strict regulations of the local government. The positive: he is fine, he does not show any COVID-19 symptoms.
For the first time since 2011, Sousa missed a Grand Slam tournament.
The beneficiary: Cedrik-Marcel Stebe, who moves up into the main field as a lucky loser. The German had lost the final qualifying game against Victor Troicki, but was one of the six lucky losers who were allowed to fly to Melbourne - in the hope that there would still be a space available.
For Stebe, hopes of a main draw had already existed after Andy Murray's cancellation. However, since Murray would have started with a wildcard, it is up to the Australian Association to award them elsewhere. With Sousa's cancellation, Stebe's participation is now certain.