Getting over 1,000 people safely into Australia during a pandemic wasn't going to be easy, but complications have already arisen in the first 48 hours. Three passengers from two chartered flights tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival into Melbourne and the government has required everyone on board to quarantine for 14 days inside their hotel rooms.
Players went to Australia under the pretense they'd be able to leave their rooms for five hours a day to practice. Now, roughly 50 players including Victoria Azarenka, Sloane Stephens, Kei Nishikori, Angelique Kerber, Marta Kostyuk, Yulia Putintseva, Nick Monroe, Alison Riske, Sorana Cirstea, Heather Watson, Belinda Bencic and Vasek Pospisil, are not going to be able to properly prepare for the first major of the year.
The reactions from players has been a mixture of confusion, anger and acceptance. While some are still going to enjoy large rooms and stellar views for their in-room workouts, Putintseva has been dealt another blow.