The issue of preferential treatment being afforded to the tennis elite refuses to go away with more players hitting out at Australian Open organisers after CEO Craig Tiley offered justification for the greater freedoms the Adelaide contingent is enjoying. Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and other big names remain in South Australia ahead of the February 8 grand slam, where they have significantly better preparation opportunity than their Melbourne-based peers - 72 of whom remain in hard lockdown. Those based in Adelaide have been permitted larger entourages - Williams travelling with her husband, daughter and mother as well as hitting partners. Nadal is understood to have his father, manager and trainers with him though his coach opted to remain at home.
The issue of preferential treatment being afforded to the tennis elite refuses to go away with more players hitting out at Australian Open organisers after CEO Craig Tiley offered justification for the greater freedoms the Adelaide contingent is enjoying. Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and other big names remain in South Australia ahead of the February 8 grand slam, where they have significantly better preparation opportunity than their Melbourne-based peers - 72 of whom remain in hard lockdown. Those based in Adelaide have been permitted larger entourages - Williams travelling with her husband, daughter and mother as well as hitting partners. Nadal is understood to have his father, manager and trainers with him though his coach opted to remain at home.
The issue of preferential treatment being afforded to the tennis elite refuses to go away but Australian Open CEO Craig Tiley has a message for the whingers.
Australian Open tennis 2021: Naomi Osaka photo triggers tennis revolt amid claims of Australian Open divide
19 Jan, 2021 12:01 AM
6 minutes to read
Naomi Osaka after winning the US Open in 2020. Photo / Getty Images
news.com.au
From bitter social media posts to workouts using mattresses as hitting partners, dozens of the world s best tennis players confined to Australian hotels for two weeks are dealing with their confinement in contrasting ways.
The Australian Open in Melbourne has been delayed three weeks until February 8 because of the coronavirus pandemic, and has run into new problems this week.
Positive COVID-19 cases on three of 17 charter flights into the country mean 72 players have been confined to their rooms for the entire 14-day quarantine period.