French star hits out at extra privileges given to Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams
Former world top 25 player Jeremy Chardy has criticised Tennis Australia’s decision to allow the world’s best players to quarantine in Adelaide instead of Melbourne, saying it is “a bit weird”.
Tennis Australia CEO and Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley confirmed last week that an eight-player exhibition event is to be staged in Adelaide in the build-up to the hard-court Grand Slam.
Tiley added that the players would be allowed to quarantine in South Australia adding “we chose the top three men and top three women”.
Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem currently occupy the top three places on the ATP Rankings while Ashleigh Barty, Simona Halep and Naomi Osaka lead the way on the WTA Rankings.
Quarantine plan revealed for the game’s top players ahead of Australian Open
It was later confirmed that 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams will also be part of the “A Day at the Drive” event at the Memorial Drive Tennis Centre with one player still to be confirmed.
Reigning world No 72 Chardy was left scratching his head over the “privileges” being handed to the world’s best players.
“This announcement for the top threes is a bit out of the blue and it’s weird, to put it mildly,” he told L’Equipe.
“They will even be able to benefit from a gym at the hotel and will be able to do their [gym] exercises which will not count towards the five-hour quota. Everyone can go out. They will almost be able to live normally.
He added: “Already they have a lot of privileges. If they can do everything more than you, it will not be the same preparation. And that’s weird for a sport where we’re all supposed to be on the same footing.”
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