The charter flight QR7493 from Los Angeles to Melbourne raised alarms in the organization of the Australian Open after two of its passengers, one of them Mexican Santiago González (155th world ranked), tested positive for Covid-19 in the tests carried out after landing in the capital of the Australian state of Victoria.
Both positive cases will have disastrous consequences for all the members of the flight in preparing for the first Grand Slam of the year, which will start on February 8, as their only way to train will be through the use of static bicycles installed in the rooms where they will be confined for fourteen days.
Among the passengers on the flight were Belarusian and former world number one Victoria Azarenka, American Sloane Stephens, and Japanese Kei Nishikori.
"The health delegate has reviewed the flight and has determined that all passengers must isolate themselves in their rooms for fourteen days," confirmed the tournament organization, regretting that they will not be able to train on the court during this period of time.
Also on the same flight was American Tennys Sandgren, who clarified on Friday that his results were positive for Covid-19 because he contracted the virus in November.
"Although it is not a case of transmission risk, people who have recovered may present certain viral fragments for a while, and that is why it can lead to another positive result," explained a spokesperson for the quarantine program carried out in the state of Victoria. (D)