Australian Open 2021 - Madison Keys tests positive for coronavirus, unlikely to play in Melbourne

Updated 14/01/2021 at 15:43 GMT

American Madison Keys looks likely to miss the Australian Open, after confirming she’s tested positive for Covid-19. The world number 16 says she found out about the test result shorly before flying to Melbourne, and that she hopes to be back on the tour next month, after self-isolating.

Madison Keys at the 2020 Australian Open

Image credit: Getty Images

World number 16 Madison Keys has confirmed she’s tested positive for Covid-19 and could miss the Australian Open.

The former semi-finalist in Melbourne says she found out about the result shortly before she was due to fly Australia, and will now begin a period of self-isolation.

Keys has become the second player on Thursday to confirm a positive case, after Andy Murray.

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Unlike Britain’s former world number one, who still hopes to make the first Grand Slam of the year, Keys has appeared to give up on her chances of playing in Melbourne.

“I’m very disappointed to not be able to play in the coming weeks after training hard in the off-season and knowing Tennis Australia and the tours did so much to make these events happen,” she said in a tweet.

I am self-isolating at home and will continue to follow all the necessary health precautions. I look forward to being back on tour next month.

Keys has not given an update on whether she is showing any symptoms for the virus.

Players are this week starting to travel to Australia with their teams on specially chartered flights around the world. Each arrival will have to quarantine in one of three designated hotels for 14 days, where they will be allowed to train on court at specifically allocated times, to avoid mixing with others.