[Zhan Jianjian/Comprehensive Report]Last year, Australia expelled Novak Djokovic because he hadn’t been vaccinated, but after a year, this year’s Australian Open confirmed before the game that players with Covid-19 can To enter the competition, they do not have to disclose any positive results, nor do they need to be tested.
Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley said it was in line with all local requirements, as quarantine rules had been lifted in Victoria last October.
Terry pointed to recent incidents in cricket where Covid-positive players continued to play in the Big Bash and international matches, with Australian cricketer Matt Renshaw playing in the final against South Africa after testing positive, Use his own locker room until he tests negative.
“We’ve made it very clear to our players and our 12,000-plus employees. We’re asking … if anyone feels unwell, please stay home,” Terry said Monday. “This is a normalizing environment for us, It’s no different than a game of cricket, there may be players who are battling Covid.”
“We’ve gone a step further with the advice to stay away when you’re sick, and our medical staff — Dr. Karen Holzer is the best in the business — she’s going to continue to monitor that, including the individual players,” Terry said.
Djokovic was deported after arriving in Melbourne last January for refusing to be vaccinated against Covid-19. He has not yet been vaccinated, but this year he will start competing for his 10th Australian Open title at Melbourne Park next Monday.
Aussie star Alex de Minaur backed the decision to drop all Covid-19 testing and reporting requirements as the game returns to its pre-Covid state, saying: “I think as players and as human beings we’ve had a lot of problems over the last few years. It’s been a really tough time in the team and I think we’re all happy to be back in the game, to be free to move around and enjoy the old days. We’re happy to be back to where we were before the pandemic.”