“Putting People in Serious Danger”: Andy Murray Blames British Tennis Centre for Missing Australian Open 2021

Three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray is furious over his absence from the upcoming 2021 Australian Open. Murray had to withdraw from the Australian Open after testing COVID-19 positive last month. The five-time Australian Open runner-up believes he contracted the virus at the Lawn Tennis Association’s National Tennis Centre in Roehampton.

The Briton blamed the lax protocols at the National Tennis Centre and seemed agitated that his family tested positive as a result. Having received a wildcard for the Biella Challenger event, Murray admitted being pissed off over not being able to compete at the Australian Open.

“I was p***ed off that I missed the tournament and wasn’t able to go to Australia from a personal perspective, but then the wider more important point, is that it’s not just about a tennis tournament when I am going back and giving the virus to all of my family and infecting them,” said Murray, during an interview.

Andy Murray angry over lax protocols

The conduct of 15-20 players has come under question, who were using the lounge facilities at the Centre with little social distancing and a lack of mask-wearing. Murray contracted the virus four days after the 21-year-old Paul Jubb tested COVID-19 positive.

The former World No.1 talked about have stuck to all the protocols and criticized the players for putting others’ lives in danger. Murray is firm he couldn’t have contracted the virus from anywhere else since he didn’t go anywhere except the NTC and his house.

“I couldn’t pick it up anywhere else because I hadn’t left my house or the NTC for ten weeks, and then obviously there was some positive cases there,” added Murray.

Following Murray’s comments, the LTA issued a statement that it has enforced strict protocols and it was impossible to obliterate the risk of exposure to the virus. Hence, it advised players to follow the rules and exhibit a high standard of moral behavior.

Having missed the last year’s Australian Open because of his lingering hip injury, Murray won’t be able to take part at Melbourne Park this year as well.