SYDNEY - Tennis players who test positive for the coronavirus will be allowed to take the court in the upcoming Australian Open, reported dpa quoting tournament boss Craig Tiley on Monday.
Tiley was quoted by local news outlets as saying that players won't have to report positive test results and will be allowed to compete as long as they feel physically fit enough.
"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," Tiley said in comments reported by news outlets including broadcaster Nine News.
"It's a normalised environment for us and, not dissimilar to the cricket, there will potentially be players that will compete with COVID."
Last year, former world number one Novak Djokovic was deported from Australia after he entered the country without a coronavirus jab. He had sought an exemption but the government sent him packing after ruling he was a danger to society given his anti-vaccine stance.
Since then, Australia has lifted its vaccine mandate for travellers and the government dropped an automatic three-year entry ban for Djokovic.
Djokovic, who on Sunday won the Adelaide International 1 and on Monday reportedly touched down in Melbourne, is gunning for a record-extending 10th title at Melbourne Park from next week as he bids to draw level with Rafa Nadal's men's singles record of 22 grand slam titles.
--BERNAMA
Tiley was quoted by local news outlets as saying that players won't have to report positive test results and will be allowed to compete as long as they feel physically fit enough.
"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," Tiley said in comments reported by news outlets including broadcaster Nine News.
"It's a normalised environment for us and, not dissimilar to the cricket, there will potentially be players that will compete with COVID."
Last year, former world number one Novak Djokovic was deported from Australia after he entered the country without a coronavirus jab. He had sought an exemption but the government sent him packing after ruling he was a danger to society given his anti-vaccine stance.
Since then, Australia has lifted its vaccine mandate for travellers and the government dropped an automatic three-year entry ban for Djokovic.
Djokovic, who on Sunday won the Adelaide International 1 and on Monday reportedly touched down in Melbourne, is gunning for a record-extending 10th title at Melbourne Park from next week as he bids to draw level with Rafa Nadal's men's singles record of 22 grand slam titles.
--BERNAMA