Bianca Andreescu seems to be a bit stunned by the new COVID rules at the Australian Open. This week, Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley revealed players would not be required to take mandatory COVID tests before or during the tournament.
With that being said, a player could feel unwell and be positive for COVID but still compete at the Australian Open. However, Tiley has urged all Australian Open participants to do the right thing and take a COVID test in case of feeling 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 hard quarantine. “Last time I was in Melbourne I was quarantined in my room for 2 weeks.
Damn,” Andreescu tweeted.
Last time I was in Melbourne I was quarantined in my room for 2 weeks. Damn https://t.co/t6TSVfP5Wk — Bianca (@Bandreescu_) January 10, 2023
Andreescu returning to the Australian Open
In 2021, Andreescu didn’t have a great preparation for the Australian Open because she spent two weeks in quarantine after landing in Melbourne.
After coming out of quarantine, Andreescu managed to win her first-round match but then was beaten in the second round. Last year, Andreescu didn’t compete at the Australian Open as she stepped away from tennis to focus on improving her mental health and well-being.
Now, Andreescu is returning to the Australian Open and set to make her third main draw appearance at Melbourne Park. This time, Andreescu certainly won’t be spending two weeks in hard quarantine in Melbourne. “We’ve made it clear to our players, as well as our over 12,000 staff.
We ask, if anyone is feeling unwell, stay home. It’s a normalised environment for us and, not dissimilar to the cricket, there will potentially be players that will compete with COVID, we just wanted to follow what’s currently in the community.
We’ve made it clear to our players, as well as our staff, if anyone is feeling unwell, stay home. It’s a normalised environment for us and, not dissimilar to the cricket, there will potentially be players that will compete with COVID,” Tiley said. It remains to be seen how much can Andreescu do in her third Australian Open appearance.
