COVID ENDS DE MINAUR’S DREAM
AUSSIE tennis star Alex de Minaur is out of the Tokyo Olympics after testing positive to Covid-19 in predeparture swabs.
De Minaur had not yet arrived in Tokyo. The news has been confirmed by the AOC’s Chef de Mission, Ian Chesterman.
“We have been advised that Alex de Minaur has had a positive test, at his mandatory 96-hour, and 72-hour pre-departure tests,” he said. “As a consequence, sadly, Alex will be unable to join the Australian team here
in Tokyo. We’re very disappointed for Alex, he’s said that he’s shattered (at) not being able to come.
“It’s been a dream since he was a child to represent Australia at the Olympic Games, but he has sent his very best wishes for the rest of the team.”
The positive Covid test is a devastating blow for de Minaur, who was excited about his Olympic chances in singles, and was also slated to play doubles with John Peers.
Peers faces a nervous time because the International Tennis Federation may award de Minaur’s vacant slot to an athlete from another country, destroying his Olympic dream.
“Our thoughts are with Alex because we know how much he was looking forward to his first Olympics,” Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley said.
“He thrives on representing his country and it always brings out the best in him. Hopefully there are more Olympic opportunities for him later in his career.”
De Minaur will not be replaced in the men’s singles but it is understood Tennis Australia are scrambling for his replacement in the mixed doubles.
De Minaur had gone to his Spanish home after Wimbledon, having tested negative on July 5. The Australian team doctor David Hughes said de Minaur tested positive on July 10 and subsequently tested positive again.
“We are very upset for Alex that he misses out,’’ Dr Hughes said, adding that de Minaur has had no contact with any other players since he tested negative on July 5. At Wimbledon, de Minaur said he had invited other Australian tennis players to his Spanish home to rest and train before travelling to Tokyo but it is unclear if anyone had taken up the offer.
“We know the whole Olympic movement needs to make sure that when athletes arrive in Japan they are free of Covid, we need to protect this bubble. Alex has been caught up in the system, but it does show the system is working. Alex understands the reasons why he can’t be with us,” Chesterman said in Tokyo on Friday.