Victoria Azarenka Denounces ‘Damaging’ Australian Open Quarantine Amid Novak Djokovic Ban Talks | Tennis | sport
Victoria Azarenka has slammed quarantine at the Australian Open amid threats to ban unvaccinated players, including Novak Djokovic. Tournament organizers are said to be in talks with government officials over a potential mandate requiring all tennis players to be vaccinated before they are allowed to enter the country and participate in the competition. Earlier this year, a number of top players had to undergo a 14-day ‘hard quarantine’ in their hotel rooms if anyone on their flight tested positive for Covid.
Azarenka was one of the players forced to stay in her hotel room for 14 days, unable to leave the entire time because someone on her charter flight to Melbourne tested positive for Covid.
All players had to complete the isolation period in their hotel rooms, but they had five hours a day to leave for training in the gymnasium and on the training ground, to get food and to get to the gym. ‘hotel.
However, many were outraged when told they would not even be allowed to leave during the designated five hours if someone on their flight tested positive for the virus, even if the player in question continued to be tested. negative – a rule that the contestants said they were oblivious to.
Two-time Australian Open champion was one of the players, including 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu and eventual Australian Open finalist Jennifer Brady.
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The remarks by the former world No.1 come as there has been a threat of a vaccine tenure for those playing the 2022 edition of the tournament, which has caused problems for defending champion Djokovic, who s has spoken out against compulsory vaccines in the past.
The world number 1 has already been warned that he would not receive preferential treatment if the government banned unvaccinated players.
“Grand Slam titles will not protect you,” Victorian Prime Minister Daniel Andrews recently said.
“The only title that will protect you is that you may have received your first dose and your second dose. “
When asked if mandatory vaccines could become a possibility, the Serbian voiced his stance against the idea.
“I don’t think it will come to that. I hope not, because I have always believed in freedom of choice,” Djokovic told reporters in April.
“And I will keep the decision of whether or not to get the vaccine, it’s a personal decision and I don’t want to get into this pro-and-con game of vaccines, which the media unfortunately creates these days.”