Bianca Andreescu seems to be a bit surprised by the new COVID rules at the Australian Open. This week, Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley revealed that players would not be required to take mandatory COVID tests before or during the tournament.
That being said, a player could feel unwell and test positive for COVID, but still compete at the Australian Open. However, Tiley has urged all Australian Open participants to do the right thing and get a COVID test if they feel unwell.
Two years ago, Andreescu’s former coach Sylvain Bruneau tested positive for COVID upon landing in Melbourne. As a result, he and Andreescu spent two weeks in harsh quarantine. «Last time I was in Melbourne I was quarantined in my room for 2 weeks.
Damn,» Andreescu tweeted.
The last time I was in Melbourne I was quarantined in my room for 2 weeks. Dammit — Bianca (@Bandreescu_) January 10, 2023
Andreescu returns to Australian Open
In 2021, Andreescu did not have a great preparation for the Australian Open because he spent two weeks in quarantine after landing in Melbourne.
After coming out of quarantine, Andreescu managed to win her first round match but was then defeated in the second round. Last year, Andreescu did not compete at the Australian Open because she stepped away from tennis to focus on improving her mental health and well-being.
Now, Andreescu returns to the Australian Open and is set to make her third main draw appearance at Melbourne Park. This time Andreescu will certainly not spend two weeks in a harsh quarantine in Melbourne. “We have made this clear to our players, as well as to our more than 12,000 employees.
We ask, if anyone feels unwell, please stay home. It’s a normalized environment for us and, not unlike cricket, there will potentially be players competing with COVID, we just wanted to follow what’s currently out there in the community.
We have made it clear to our players, as well as our staff, if anyone is not feeling well, please stay home. It’s a normalized environment for us and, not unlike cricket, there will potentially be players competing with COVID,» Tiley said. It remains to be seen how much Andreescu can do in his third Australian Open appearance.
