Australian Open organisers deny slack COVID-19 testing

MELBOURNE: The Australian Open was under growing pressure on Thursday (Jan 20) to make COVID-19 tests mandatory as some top players said testing was lax at the first Grand Slam of 2022. 

Frenchman Ugo Humbert said he had tested positive after his first-round exit on Tuesday and would isolate for a week. 

World number three Alexander Zverev said in response that players were not getting tested, even as COVID-19 infections surge in Australia. 

The German said he believes "quite a few players" are infected, without providing evidence. 

Official attendees at Melbourne Park, such as tournament staff, are provided with rapid antigen tests each day and must test negative to remain on site.

Tennis Australia, which organises the Australian Open, said players were encouraged to test themselves regularly but that it was only mandatory if they had symptoms.

"On top of that there's mandatory symptom testing and every single day each player is provided with an antigen kit that they can pick up at hotel or here on site," tournament director Craig Tiley told Australia's Channel 9.

Zverev's remarks renewed the spotlight on COVID-19 policies at the Australian Open, which were already under scrutiny following the saga of deported defending champion Novak Djokovic.

Two-time Grand Slam winner Garbine Muguruza called testing for players an "optional thing".

"Me, I test every two days by myself in my room. It's not mandatory. I still do it," she said.

Asked if players had to show test results when they arrived at Melbourne Park, the Spaniard added: "No, don't have to."

Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, ranked fourth, said he had been testing himself "from time to time". 

"It's the responsibility of each and every athlete to test themselves regularly to see