Tennis news - Joao Sousa withdraws from Australian Open due to strict COVID-19 protocols

ByReuters

Published 23/01/2021 at 15:28 GMT

Portugal's Joao Sousa says he will not travel to Melbourne for the Australian Open despite returning a negative test for Covid 19 due to the Australian government's strict protocols on a mandatory 14-day quarantine period upon arrival. The preparation for the tournament has caused controversy amongst a host of players.

Joao Sousa

Image credit: Getty Images

Joao Sousa has said he will not make his way to Australia for this year's Australian Open despite testing negative for coronavirus.

Seventy-two players are currently confined to their rooms in Melbourne ahead of the Feb. 8-21 Grand Slam after positive cases were discovered on three flights ferrying them to Australia.

Sousa said he tested positive for COVID-19 before his departure but has since returned a negative test and is asymptomatic.

Tennis

Murray steps up rehab with return to court in Wimbledon fitness race

15 hours ago

"Even though I already tested negative and have no symptoms, due to the strict rules of the Australian government, I won't be able to travel," Sousa wrote on Instagram on Saturday.

Sousa has not missed the main draw of a Grand Slam since 2013 when he was eliminated in the Wimbledon qualifiers.

The 31-year-old joins former world number one Andy Murray among players withdrawing from the year's first Grand Slam after testing positive for the virus.

ATP won't let me rejoin players’ council - Novak Djokovic

Tennis

Murray will not have surgery on ankle injury, return date unknown

15/04/2024 at 20:14

Tennis

‘Unbelievable fighter’ Murray can ‘go out on top’ at Olympics - Wilander

05/04/2024 at 13:00

ATP Monte Carlo

When is the Monte Carlo Masters? Are Djokovic and Nadal playing?

03/04/2024 at 09:07

Join 3M+ users on app

Stay up to date with the latest news, results and live sports

Download

Scan me