Paula Badosa out of Australian Open after testing positive for virus

Paula Badosa posted on her social media channels on Thursday that she has tested positive for Covid-19. The Spaniard has been quarantining in Melbourne under the state’s mandatory 14-day quarantine rule after a couple of co-passengers in her flight to Melbourne had tested positive for the virus upon their arrival in the city.

Badosa said she was symptomatic and that she has been shifted to a different hotel to recuperate where she would be under observation.

The world no. 67 posted, “I have some bad news. Today, I received a positive Covid-19 test result. I’m feeling unwell and have some symptoms, but I’ll try to recover as soon as possible listening to the doctors. I have been taken to a health hotel to self-isolate and be monitored. Thanks for your support. We’ll be back stronger.”

Paula Badosa's disappointing news

Badosa is the first player to have had a Covid-19 test result return positive. Earlier, there were reports of two players having tested positive but it later emerged that the test positives were on account of virus shedding.

The tournament organisers are weathering quite a few storms about the quarantine rules – enforced by the state of Victoria – with several players demonstrating their unhappiness. Players were also unhappy about the preferential treatment given to the top-ranked players who are currently in Adelaide. The backlash against this decision of the organisers to divide the players prompted the Australian Open TD and Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley to justify the decision.

Paula Badosa had been part of the playing contingent to have travelled to Melbourne via Abu Dhabi. The 23-year-old would have played her third Australian Open this year after two previous appearances in 2019 and 2020. Her best result Down Under has been reaching the second round in 2020, losing to former finalist, the Czech Republic’s Petra Kvitová.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3c0H1SO