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Melbourne Tennis player Philipp Oswald envisioned his 10th appearance at the 2021 Australian Open starting February 8. After taking part in the ATP 250 tournament in Delray Beach (USA) with his New Zealand doubles partner Marcus Daniell, the Dornbirn man has been in Melbourne since 13 January. However, the man from Dornbirn has to give up the specific preparation of the competition until January 29. Until then, Vorarlberg’s most successful tennis player is currently in quarantine, not allowed to leave his 25-square-meter hotel room. “Looks like I caught a sour lemon. The fact that it is not an isolated case, but that I share my destiny with around 100 players in this absolutely exceptional situation, is only a small consolation. I prepared intensively for the season at Dornbirn in December together with Marcus (note: double partner Daniell) and we were in great shape. I don’t think we will forget to play tennis in the 14 days in the hotel room. But everyone can understand that this is not optimal preparation for a Grand Slam tournament. “
Turbulent trip planning
The misery began after the tournament in the United States. “It was originally planned that we would fly from Miami to Melbourne on a charter flight organized by the Australian Open. But one day before departure we received the information that this plane was full and that we had a reservation for the Los Angeles plane. ” After the flight to Los Angeles, which we arranged on short notice and one night at the airport, we headed to Australia. “It was a nice flight. We had infinite space and the service was perfect. We were surprised that Tenny Sandgren was also on board. He already had Corona, it was not contagious, the test in the United States may have been incorrect, so he was allowed to come on board. “
Upon arrival in Melbourne, it quickly became clear that Australians take the Corona issue very seriously. “A PCR test was already done at the airport, and then, accompanied by a police escort, we took the bus to the hotel. We checked in and the fact that the rooms are small and the internet connection is weak didn’t matter. “
A positive case, all sanctioned
However, only for the moment, since after almost 48 hours of waiting for the official launch for training in the field, the information came that one of the 67 people on his machine had a positive Covid-19 test and that all the people on board stayed on board for 14 days. it would have to be placed in strict quarantine. “The two days of isolation were tough. But of course it was like a blow to the neck that you don’t want even your toughest opponent. “
In a video call, the Australian Open organizers promised to provide those affected with an ergobike and dumbbells in their rooms. “But when I look around and look at the dimensions of the room, I don’t even know where to put these things. I don’t have the space anymore and I’ve already pushed the second bed against the wall so I can at least lunge while doing stretching and strengthening exercises. “
Unlike Oswald, Daniell and others affected, a large number of players who are not affected by the rigorous security measures of the organizers in the run up to the first big tournament of the year have the opportunity to leave the hotel room and in the field for at least five hours a day. or working out in a gym. “Although we all signed the residency conditions in advance, we did not know that the sanctions would be so strictly enforced and that if the case was positive, everyone would be automatically locked on the plane. But you never stop learning. “
In the chat with tournament director AO Craig Tiley it was also discussed that there are much better conditions for stars like Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem, who are preparing in Adelaide, some 750km away. “They have their fitness room in the hotel and they only have five hours available to play tennis. “I have no problem with this hierarchy, but overall it is a clear competitive advantage. I’m also not mad at anyone and I can understand most of the measurements. In the end, we all have to be happy that the tournament takes place. Even if it won’t be easy, I’ll sit in isolation the rest of the time and eagerly await the reboot. ” VN-JD
