Official insists no special Australian Open treatment for Andy Murray after positive COVID-19 result

Australian Open
A pensive Andy Murray

Andy Murray has been warned that he will be refused entry into Australia if he tries to enter the country while positive with COVID-19, putting major doubts over his participation in the 2021 Australian Open.

The five-time Melbourne finalist was due to fly to Australia on a special charter flight arranged by organisers this week, but news broke on Thursday that he tested positive for coronavirus following an outbreak at the National Tennis Centre at Roehampton.

Andy Murray in race against time to play at Australian Open after testing positive for COVID-19

Reports suggested that Murray, who is experiencing mild symptoms and is self-isolating at home, still has hopes of playing in the season-opening Grand Slam and no one has officially ruled him out.

However, confusion surrounds organisers’ official stance as Rafael Nadal’s coach Carlos Moya announced earlier in the week that he would not join the 20-time Grand Slam winner in Australia as the “government is not authorising separate travelling and arriving at the beginning of the tournament”.

And Victorian health minister Martin Foley has now also warned Murray that he receive preferential treatment.

“In regards to Mr Murray, we’ve been clear from the start that anyone who tests positive is not able to be part of the programme coming into Melbourne and Australia,” he said.

“Mr Murray, and the other 1240 people as part of the programme, need to demonstrate that if they’re coming to Melbourne they have returned a negative test.

“So should Mr Murray arrive, and I have no indication that he will, he will be subject to those same rigorous arrangements as everyone else.

“Should he test positive prior to his attempts to come to Australia, he will be refused.”

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