Melbourne Park Australian Open Day 10 29/01/20 Shadow of Alexander Zverev (GER) as he wins quarter final beating Stan Wawrinka (SUI) in four sets. Photo Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd
Quarantine stress and lack of match fitness will be no excuse for players, with men still required to play the best of five sets when the delayed Australian Open gets underway on February 8.
Local supremo Craig Tiley laid down the law to competitors after an initiative to cut the matches to best-of-three in view of the quarantine chaos currently reigning in Melbourne.
“We are a Grand Slam tournament,” Tiley told host broadcaster Nine Network.
“The rule is three winning sets for men and two for women. We will not give that up.”
Due to a handful of positive COVID-19 tests on incoming charter flights, up to 100 tennis visitors – players and support staff – are currently serving no-exit isolation decrees.
Some players caught in the predicament had suggested the dialing back of matches due to their restrictions on not leaving their rooms for 14 days.
Inspired Italian Lorenzo Musetti ended the Monte Carlo Masters reign of Stefanos Tsitsipas on Friday,…
Carlos Alcaraz used his drop shots with efficiency to stave off a French challenge with…
Carlos Alcaraz needed some clay-court "cleanup on aisle five" to clinch the 6-3, 6-1 defeat…
Brit Jack Draper fell victim to a determined Spanish opponent wrestling with personal demons on…
Novak Djokovic felt nothing but shame on Wednesday after exiting the Monte Carlo Masters 6-3, 6-4…
Carlos Alcaraz stuffed an overhead into the net on a match point chance but recovered poise…