No qualms about quarantine, but Alexander Zverev bemoans Adelaide ‘freedom’ for top players

Alexander Zverev insists tennis players “shouldn’t complain too much” about the quarantine restrictions that were in place ahead of the Australian Open, but believes Tennis Australia made a mistake with “the Adelaide thing for top players”.
Foreign players competing in the 2021 season-opening Grand Slam were all forced to travel to Australia on chartered flights and upon arrival they had to self-isolate for 14 days. After a few positive coronavirus cases, some had to go into hard lockdown for two weeks.
The majority of players spent the period in Melbourne, but a handful of the world’s best players, including Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka and Simona Halep were in lockdown in Adelaide due to an exhibition event that was due to be staged there.
After one or two murmurs about the extra privileges, including longer hours on the practice court, given to the Adelaide group, Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley defended the decision as “it’s just the nature of the business”.
Australian Open boss defends ‘better deal’ for the likes of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams
Zverev, though, feels Tennis Australia got it wrong.
“I think maybe the only real mistake that there was was the Adelaide thing for top players,” the German said.
“Because they did get more practice time, they did get more freedom. But other than that, the quarantine and the flights, we have to accept that.
“We have to understand that Australia doesn’t have any COVID cases at all except for us tennis players and … we shouldn’t complain too much about the circumstances.”
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
ATP Tour
ATP boss hails Novak Djokovic after No 1 record, saying feat ‘may stand as his single most impressive’
Andrea Gaudenzi praises Novak Djokovic.
-
Tennis News
Roger Federer on Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal’s recent feats: ‘What they have done is extraordinary’
Roger Federer full of praise for his two great rivals.
-
Tennis News
Some notable former Qatar Open champions: From Boris Becker to Novak Djokovic
Oli Jefford on some prestigious names who have won the Qatar Open.
-
Tennis News
Serena Williams expresses support for ‘selfless friend’ Meghan Markle as she hits out at ‘malicious’ tabloids
“She teaches me every day what it means to be truly noble.”
-
ATP Tour
Novak Djokovic’s ATP Rankings milestones as he reaches 311 weeks at No 1 to surpass Roger Federer’s record
A look at Novak Djokovic’s ATP Rankings milestones.
-
Tennis Features
Notable former Dubai Tennis Championship winners, including Martina Hingis and Justine Henin
A look at the big stars to have won in Dubai.
-
ATP Tour
Diego Schwartzman seals emotional title on home soil in Buenos Aires
Diego Schwartzman crowned Argentina Open champion.
-
ATP Tour
Andrey Rublev’s stunning record in ATP 500 events continues with Rotterdam win
Andrey Rublev continued his run in ATP 500 events .
-
ATP Tour
Roger Federer hopes to return to ‘100 per cent’ fitness in time for Wimbledon
Federer has needed two operations to correct knee issue.
-
WTA Tour
On This Day in 2016: Maria Sharapova reveals positive drugs test
Maria Sharapova was banned from tennis for 15 months.