Denis Shapovalov tests positive for COVID-19 upon arrival in Australia 

The Australian Open is bracing for more player positives following Denis Shapovalov's announcement that he had tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival in Sydney, but organizers say competitors can complete isolation requirements in time to play the Grand Slam event.

Shapovalov is among several pros to have tested positive since appearing at the exhibition event in Abu Dhabi, including Rafael Nadal, Belinda Bencic and Ons Jabeur. Nadal's coach Carlos Moya has also tested positive, as had Emma Raducanu prior to the event.

Most of the total of 3,300 players, team members and personnel will arrive for the Australian swing in the next few days on specially chartered flights. All are required to have been vaccinated or received a medical exemption, which Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley said this week has been given only to very few in this group.

But amid an international surge in cases, more positives are expected among the arrivals.

"Our challenge this year is going to be positive cases," said Tiley. "We have modeled the potential of positive cases—there will be positive cases—and it’s just manage them and manage the location and the necessary isolation associated with it."

Those testing positive are required to complete 10 days in isolation and have been free of symptoms for 72 hours. There are still three weeks to go before Grand Slam competition commences in Melbourne Park.

"Players that are testing positive now... will complete a period of time when they’re no longer infectious, when they’re shedding the virus, then they will be fine," said Tiley. Although, players have previously spoken of their concerns about competing following a period of isolation.

It is also hard to predict the amount of players that could potentially be affected. Shapovalov mentioned on social media that he is now in isolation and indicated that he can't train. "Right now I am experiencing minor symptoms and look forward to getting back on the court, when it is safe to do so," he wrote on Instagram.

Shapovalov has withdrawn from the ATP Cup team competition played prior to Melbourne.

The various changes in entry requirements and pandemic conditions have made planning this Australian Open even tougher than the one before, which had strict protocols costing the event $50 million—and the field was first required to complete a two-week quarantine.

"It was a walk in the park in comparison to this one," said Tiley.

But some of the previous requirements have been lifted—players who are not positive upon arrival will not have any bubble restrictions, and those who have been in contact with positives will be tested, but will not have to go into isolation unless they are positive.

The tournament is scheduled to have full crowds.