‘Devastated’ Murray out of Australian Open following positive COVID-19 test
Five-time finalist Andy Murray will not compete at the Australian Open after failing to arrange a “workable quarantine” with authorities.
Andy Murray has withdrawn from the Australian Open a little over a week after testing positive for coronavirus.
Murray, a five-time finalist in Melbourne, went into isolation at home after returning a positive test on January 14.
No @AustralianOpen for @andy_murray “ Gutted to share that I won’t be flying out to Australia to compete at the Australian Open. We’ve been in constant dialogue…to try and find a solution which would allow some form of workable quarantine, but we couldn’t make it work.”
— Simon Cambers (@scambers73) January 22, 2021
The three-time major winner, ranked 123rd in the world, had hoped to compete at the first grand slam of the year after being granted a wildcard.
Murray unable to come to a “workable” solution with authorities
However, tournament organisers indicated it would be difficult for Murray to remain in the draw as he would be unable to travel via one of the official charter flights containing other players before going through the required period of quarantine.
On Friday, the 33-year-old confirmed he had been unable to come to a “workable” solution with authorities.
In a statement carried by The Guardian and other UK media outlets, Murray said:
“Gutted to share that I won’t be flying out to Australia to compete at the Australian Open. We’ve been in constant dialogue with Tennis Australia to try and find a solution but we couldn’t make it work. I want to thank everyone there for their efforts, I’m devastated not to be playing out in Australia. It’s a country and tournament that I love.”
72 players in strict quarantine in Melbourne
The build-up to this year’s Australian Open has been impacted by players having to spend a two-week quarantine in their hotel accommodation.
A total of 72 competitors have been unable to leave their rooms after positive coronavirus tests among passengers on the chartered flights to Melbourne.
Players have been unable to access practice courts and many have complained on social media about sub-standard food and conditions, with Yulia Putintseva, the world number 28, sharing videos showing mice in her room.
The tournament is due to start on February 8.
