Former world No.1 Victoria Azarenka has called for empathy from both players and the public regarding the current quarantine system.
The two-time Australian Open champion has published a open letter on her Twitter account in which she urged ‘co-operation, understanding and empathy for a local community that has been going through a lot of very demanding restrictions.’ Under government rules all players are required to quarantine for 14 days ahead of the Australian Open. However, some players are going through a stricter system after being classed as a close contact following a series of a positive cases on their flights to the country. Those deemed close contacts must stay in their rooms at all times.
Whilst most players have been contempt with the current system, there has been controversy. Some have complained about the quality of the food they have received and others have voiced their unhappiness with the current system. Roberto Bautista Agut has gone as far saying that the situation is a ‘complete disaster.’
In a bid to ease tensions, Azarenka says it is important that everybody looks at the wider picture concerning the pandemic.
“We have a global pandemic, nobody has a clear playbook of how to operate at full capacity and without a glitch, we all have seen it last year. Sometimes things happen and we need to accept, adapt and keep moving,” she wrote.
“I would like to ask all my colleagues for co-operation, understanding and empathy for a local community that has been going through a lot of very demanding restrictions that they did not choose, but were forced to follow.
“I would like to ask to be sensitive as well to the people who have lost their jobs and loved ones during this horrible time for all of us around the world.
“I would like to ask all of us to have respect for people who work tirelessly to try to make our lives easier.”
Amid the frustration players have come under fire from the Melbourne public over how a minority of them have reacted to the situation. For this reason Azarenka has called for more empathy from everybody.
“I would like for the people in the community to know and understand that we have it as our top priority to ensure the health and safety of all the people,” she continued in her letter.
“I would like for us to please try to support each other as much as someone can or is willing to.
“Things are always easier when you have a compassionate environment and work together.”
Over the weekend Novak Djokovic sent a letter to Craig Tiley in which he pleaded for changes to the quarantine rules. However, those requests have been dismissed by local health officials.
As Azarenka seeks to calm the storm, it has been confirmed that two unnamed players have tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday. It is unknown if those who tested positive had been placed in the stricter quarantine prior. A third person who is ‘associated with the tournament’ has also tested positive. The trio are made up of a woman in her 20s and two men in their 30s.
“This does not change broader assessment of the player group in hotel quarantine,” a public health statement said.
No further details about the positive cases has been provided.
