Andy stays hopeful despite positive test
SIR ANDY Murray is believed to be bearing up well despite being struck by the new strain of coronavirus.
Despite the diagnosis, the former world No1 is hoping he can negotiate a way of getting Down Under in time for the Australian Open.
Andy returned the dreaded positive test a few days before he was due to board a special chartered plane to Melbourne.
He was among victims to be hit after a “minor outbreak” at the National Tennis Centre in London, including fellow British pro Paul Jubb.
An appearance at Melbourne would be highly emotional for 33-year-old Andy, coming two years after a press conference when he broke down in tears and came close to saying he had retired due to a persistent hip issue.
The diagnosis came as a shock to Andy, as he believed he may have caught Covid during the first wave last year, when he reported several of the telltale symptoms.
The Australian Open starts on February 8 but Andy would be expected to quarantine himself in a designated Melbourne hotel for two weeks prior to playing any matches.
A statement from Australian Open organisers confirmed that
Andy is up against it and offered little encouragement in terms of travel plans.
It states: “Andy Murray has advised that he has tested positive to Covid and is isolating at home in the UK.
“Unfortunately this means he will be unable to join the official AO charter flights arriving in Australia in the coming days to go through the quarantine period with the other players.
“The AO fans love Andy, and we know how much he loves competing here in Melbourne and how hard he had worked for this opportunity.”
Dad-of-three Andy would be limited to five hours a day practice, two of which can be spent training on the court with a designated hitting partner.
A former Olympic, Wimbledon and US Open champion, Andy has been a finalist at the Australian Open five times.
He has not played since last October but has remained hopeful that he could claw his way back to the top.
Ironically, Andy withdrew from the first ATP event of the season – at Delray Beach in Florida – over fears that it would increase his chances of catching coronavirus and jeopardise his trip to Australia.