As tennis players from around the world start flooding into Melbourne there have been three positive COVID-19 test results, before the players even boarded.
Five-time finalist Andy Murray tested positive and is isolating at home near London. He has not given up hope of making it to Australia.
Two-time Australian Open quarter-finalist Tennys Sandgren also tested postive, he was however cleared to fly to Melbourne out of Los Angeles.
Sandgren had previously tested positive to COVID-19 back in November 2020.
“My two tests were less than eight weeks apart. I was sick in November, totally healthy now,” he tweeted.
COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria released a statement this afternoon saying it had reviewed Sandgren’s positive test result “as per standard processes” and he was cleared to travel to Australia.
It said the evidence in Sandgren’s case “suggested he had recovered from a previous COVID-19 infection and is still shedding viral particles”.
“For people who have previously tested positive and have since recovered, it is common to shed viral fragments for some time — which can trigger another positive result,” the statement read.
“Any person who returns a positive test result has their medical and case history reviewed by a team of public health experts.
On the women’s side Madison Keys has tested positive and withdrawn from the tournament.
“I am very disappointed not to be able to play in the coming weeks after training hard in the off-season and knowing Tennis Australia and the tours did so much to make these events happen,” said Keys.
“I am self-isolating at home. I look forward to being back on tour next month.”
Earlier USA’s John Isner had said he was not making the journey to Australia as he would only do so with his family by his side.
Amanda Anisimova also seems to have tested positive around six days ago.
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