Australian Open under pressure over 'optional' Covid tests

MELBOURNE - The Australian Open was under growing pressure Thursday to make Covid tests mandatory after leading players openly

questioned the seemingly lax policy and the Grand Slam got its first positive
case.

   Frenchman Ugo Humbert said following his first-round exit on Tuesday that
he tested positive on his exit test to leave Australia and would isolate for
a week.

   Men's third seed Alexander Zverev said in response that players were not
getting tested, even as infection numbers surge in Australia, and believes
that "quite a few players" are infected, without providing evidence.

   Official attendees at Melbourne Park, such as tournament staff, are
provided with rapid antigen tests each day and must be negative to remain on
site.

   But Tennis Australia (TA), which organises the Australian Open, says
players only need to test if they have Covid symptoms.

   Zverev's remarks threw another spotlight on Covid policies at the
Australian Open, which were already under scrutiny following the saga of
deported defending champion Novak Djokovic.

   Women's third seed Garbine Muguruza called testing for players an
"optional thing". "Me, I test every two days by myself in my room. It's not
mandatory. I still do it," she said.

   Asked if players had to show test results when they arrived at Melbourne
Park, the Spaniard added: "No, don't have to."

   Under its "safe player" protocols, TA provides rapid antigen kits to
players and testing clinics are open for extended hours on site, and at the
player hotel.

   All players at the Australian Open have to be vaccinated or have a medical
exemption -- a rule central to the deportation of the unvaccinated Djokovic.

   Players also had to complete a mandatory PCR test when they landed in
Australia and again between day five and seven, a timeframe that would now be over for most of them.BSS/AFP