Despite testing positive for COVID-19 on Monday this week, Tennis Australia allowed Tennys Sandgren to board the plane for the Australian Open. Sandgren had tested positive last year in November and returned another positive test two days back despite feeling totally healthy.
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA: Tennys Sandgren of the United States celebrates after winning a point during his Men’s Singles third round match against Sam Querrey of the United States on day five of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Earlier today, Sandgren hinted at the possibility of being unable to travel to Melbourne but hours later tweeted about boarding the flight. In the tweet, Sandgren hailed the CEO of Tennis Australia, Craig Tiley, for his efforts to provide him with the clearance to travel.
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“Wow, I’m on the plane. Maybe I just held my breath too long. Craig Tiley is a wizard,” tweeted Sandgren after the looming uncertainty around his participation.
Wow I’m on the plane
Maybe I just held my breath too long..
Craig Tiley is a wizard
— Tennys Sandgren (@TennysSandgren) January 14, 2021
Tennys Sandgren given clearence
The Victorian health authorities examined the medical reports of Sandgren and gave him the clearance to fly. To put things in perspective, the official Twitter account of the Australian Open tweeted of having done their due diligence before granting Sandgren a go-ahead.
In the statement, the tennis body said that people who have recovered from the COVID-19 and who are non-infectious continue to shed the virus for several months.
Victorian Government public health experts assess each case based on additional detailed medical records to ensure they are not infectious before checking in to the charter flights. 2/3
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 14, 2021
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Post arrival, Sandgren will quarantine for the next two weeks along with fellow tennis players. Although, as per the guidelines, the players are allowed to train for five hours each during the quarantine period. However, the players and their teams will be tested every day from their arrival in Australia to ensure safety.
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA: Roger Federer of Switzerland and Tennys Sandgren of the United States embrace at the net following their Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match on day nine of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
Over the next 2 days, more chartered flights from Doha, Abu Dhabi, Los Angeles, Singapore, and Dubai will ferry the players to Melbourne for the upcoming tennis season. At the last year’s Australian Open, Sandgren crashed out of the quarterfinals after losing to Roger Federer despite having seven match points.
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With Sandgren’s case put to rest, the Australian health authorities have an enormous task of testing thousands of people daily and preventing any mishap.
