Australian Open 2021: players get creative in quarantine with more than 70 unable to train because of Covid-19 restrictions
- Players sunbathe by the window, hit balls against a mattress and run sprints in corridors as they try to stay fit ahead ahead of the tournament
- Four more participants, including one athlete, test positive for Covid-19 as officials say the Australian Open will go ahead on February 8
Sunbathing by the window, hitting balls against a mattress and running sprints in corridors – quarantined tennis players are getting creative as they try to kill time in their hotel rooms before next month’s Australian Open.
More players were forced into hard quarantine ahead of the tournament, which starts on February 8, with officials confirming on Monday that four additional participants, including an athlete, tested positive for Covid-19 among those arriving in Melbourne.
More than 70 players are unable to train outside their hotel rooms for 14 days ahead of the year’s first grand slam that was delayed from its usual late January start.
“I’m committed to do whatever it takes to get ready despite the circumstances. Time to get creative,” Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur said in a tweet accompanied by a video of her hitting a ball against an upturned mattress.
World number 38 Barbora Strycova posted a video of herself assembling an exercise bike and joked she may have found her true calling. “Anyone in need of my services? We can make it happen after these 14 days,” Strycova added.