THE DRAPES OF WRATH
Lockdown lunacy Down Under as Coco bombards her curtains and Novak practises on balcony
NOVAK DJOKOVIC hit back in the row over quarantine measures Down Under on another day of madness in the countdown to the Australian Open.
The world No1 claimed he had only wanted to “brainstorm” ideas to improve the conditions of players locked in their hotel rooms after suffering a brutal backlash.
Andy Murray, below, must decide in the next 48 hours if he will fly to Australia.
Judy Murray yesterday reported that Andy, who tested positive for Covid-19 last week, was now out of isolation but would have to arrive in Melbourne by Sunday at the latest to complete his two-week quarantine.
But with more than 72 players still facing over a week in hard quarantine, the self-styled Happy Slam is serving up bizarre and worrying storylines.
Just yesterday veteran Brazilian umpire Carlos Bernardes was reported to be “well” after suffering a heart attack during his Melbourne hotel lockdown; British No2 Heather Watson completed a Tik-Tok “quarantine triathlon” to the tune of Final Countdown during day six of her hard hotel quarantine; and Victoria’s state police minister Lisa Neville urged players to stop feeding mice in their rooms – and told them to change their own sheets. Stars like Djokovic and Coco Gauff have resorted to smashing balls at curtains and hitting balls on their balcony.
There have now been 10 positive cases associated with the Australian Open.
Djokovic was blasted after leaked emails requesting the easing of strict quarantine conditions for players were dismissed as “demands” by the Victorian state government.
The eight-time Australian Open champion, who is enjoying better conditions in Adelaide, responded: “My good intentions for my fellow competitors in Melbourne have been misconstrued as being selfish, difficult and ungrateful. This couldn’t be farther from the truth.”
Stars such as Djokovic, Rafa Nadal, Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka are staying in better accommodation in South Australia before an exhibition event on January 29.
Tournament director Craig Tiley said: “The players do have better conditions because they have a balcony with their rooms.”