Former men’s World Number 1 Andy Murray has tested positive for COVID-19 just days before he was supposed to fly to Australia for the Open.
It is unclear whether or not Murray will still compete at the Australian Open this year, but it’s not looking great. He is reportedly not giving up on the tournament, even if that means arriving later than planned.
In a statement, the tournament confirmed the five-time Australian Open finalist is currently isolating at his home in the UK.
“Unfortunately this means he will be unable to join the official AO charter flights arriving in Australia in the coming days to go through the quarantine period with the other players,” the statement read.
Wishing you all the best with your recovery @andy_murray pic.twitter.com/SRMQeuIxLp
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 14, 2021
Murray had been given a wildcard entry into this year’s Open, the first major Grand Slam tournament of 2021.
At last year’s tournament, Murray announced his intention to retire from the sport after a long and severe battle with a hip injury.
On Twitter, the Australian Open also sent its best to women’s World Number 16 Madison Keys, who announced she had returned a positive test result for COVID-19.
Keys said she would not be competing at the Open this year.
“I’m very disappointed to not 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,” she said.
— Madison Keys (@Madison_Keys) January 14, 2021
On Thursday, men’s World Number 50 Tennys Sandgren was allowed to board his flight to Australia despite testing positive to the virus for the second time.
In a rush of tweets, Sandgren informed followers of his test result, originally believing that he wouldn’t be allowed to fly. Moments later, he tweeted from the plane.
Covid positive over thanksgiving
Covid positive on mondayYet pcr tests are the “gold standard”?
Atleast I get to keep my points 😂
— Tennys Sandgren (@TennysSandgren) January 13, 2021
Wait hold on I think they are trying to get me on 15 min after the plane was supposed to depart.. my bags still aren’t checked lol
— Tennys Sandgren (@TennysSandgren) January 14, 2021
Wow I’m on the plane
Maybe I just held my breath too long..
Craig Tiley is a wizard
— Tennys Sandgren (@TennysSandgren) January 14, 2021
Responding to the absolute chaos Sandgren’s tweets caused, the Australian Open explained that some people can still test positive to the virus months after first contracting it without being infectious.
“Victorian Government public heath experts assess each case based on additional detailed medical records to ensure they are not infectious before checking in to the charter flights,” the tournament tweeted.
“Players and their teams are tested every day from their arrivals in Australia, a much stricter process than for anyone else in hotel quarantine.”
The Australian Open 2021 begins February 8.
