After three people contracted COVID-19 on two of the 17 charter flights that brought players and entourages to Melbourne and Adelaide, making 47 players confined to their hotel rooms, the Australian Open chief said the tournament would begin as per its schedule in February, reports AFP. 

Tiley said the Grand Slam would start as per its schedule, adding that it was not a “great situation” for the 47 players, who have been isolated in their hotel rooms. 

One of those who tested positive for the coronavirus infection, includes Sylvain Bruneau, coach of Canada’s 2019 US Open winner Bianca Andreescu. However, no player has contracted COVID-19. 

Everyone onboard has been ordered not to leave their hotel rooms for the 14-day quarantine period as they are considered to be close contacts. The strict quarantine period prevents the 47 players to train outside for five hours a day, which was previously agreed in the build-up to the opening Grand Slam of the vear. The Australian Open is scheduled to start on February 8.

“We always knew there would be (a) significant risk with this pandemic, you can never tell,” Tiley told Channel Nine television. He added, “But the Australian Open is going ahead.” 

The chief said that the authorities will “continue to do the best” they possibly can to ensure the players, who are in “not a great situation, one that is somewhat acceptable.”

The likes of Victoria Azarenka, Sloane Stephens, Kei Nishikori and Angelique Kerber are believed to among those affected, badly impacting their preparations.

Most players touched down in Melbourne, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka and other superstars flew to Adelaide. Oraganisers quashed rumours about a positive case on one of the two flights to Adelaide, reports AFP. 

The Australian Open had already been hit by the withdrawal of injured Roger Federer, while world number 16 Madison Keys and three-time major winner Andy Murray both tested positive for the virus before departure so did not board the flights to Australia.