Alexander Zverev concerned more players at Australian Open have COVID-19 in wake of Ugo Humbert positive

Fresh off his straight sets victory over Australia's John Millman, German Olympic gold medallist Alexander Zverev raised his concerns about COVID testing at the Australian Open.

Played against the backdrop of the pandemic, the tournament has been dealing with controversies throughout the build-up, not least of all Immigration Minister Alex Hawke's decision to deport unvaccinated world number one Novak Djokovic.

Players are being relied upon to take daily rapid antigen tests for COVID-19 but questions about this policy have been raised.

Most notably when during qualifying, Australia's Bernard Tomic said PCR tests should be used, before he revealed that he later contracted COVID-19.

On Wednesday Frenchman Ugo Humbert said he had tested positive following his round one loss to countryman Richard Gasquet.

Having breezed past Millman 6-4, 6-4, 6-0 and still chasing his maiden grand slam title, third seeded Zverev said he believes it is likely more players in the tournament have COVID.

«We are allowed to go outside to eat, allowed to do whatever we want, so I think it's natural that more people get COVID,» Zverev said at a late night press conference.

«I think quite a few players had it when they arrived. Quite a few players I think have it now. We're not getting tested, so I think if we would get tested there would be probably more positives than there are now, in a way.»

Tennis Australia has yet to comment, despite a request from Reuters.

Zverev said he is taking all precautions and staying in his own bubble to avoid infection as he chases a first grand slam title without two of the big three of men's tennis — Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic — at the tournament. 

Only Spaniard Rafael Nadal remains and Zverev is seeded to face him in