Trouble keeps "bad things" plaguing the Australian Open

CANBERRA, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- Trouble continues to plague the Australian Open

Xinhua News Agency reporters Yue Dongxing and Bai Xu

On February 8, Australia is scheduled to usher in the australian open, the first international top event after the epidemic is gradually brought under control. As the opening drama of the professional tennis world, the Australian Open, which was affected by the smoke and haze of forest fires last year, has withstood the test of "how to run the game under the epidemic" this year.

So far, in principle, Australia, which only opens its borders to Australian citizens, residents and their immediate family members, has strict restrictions on the number of weekly arrivals in order to alleviate the pressure of quarantine hotels, and flights to Australia have been reduced. In the face of public opinion pressure, the Australian Open organizers coordinated the entry of more than 1,000 people through charter flights and other means, which triggered some Complaints from Australians stranded overseas, believing that tennis stars were privileged.

Bringing the stars up, there are still many troubles. The discovery of how to deal with confirmed cases, different opinions on the isolation of players, and dissatisfaction of local residents once made the outside world worry about whether the Australian Open could be held as scheduled. But with the cooperation of the organizers and the state government, the problem was temporarily settled. Australian Open tournament director Craig Terley said he believed that the Australian Open, which was postponed to February for the first time in more than 100 years, could help Melbourne, which was previously severely affected by the epidemic, boost the economy and public confidence.

One person diagnosed the whole machine "hard isolation" Player complained that the game was "unable to play"

Although the participants need to ensure that the nucleic acid test is negative before boarding, many people have been tested positive after arriving in Australia on a chartered flight to start isolation, resulting in more than 70 players arriving on the same plane forced into the "hard isolation" mode that cannot leave the room - canceling the 5-hour field training every day, while other quarantined players can practice.

Some players protested that the organizers had not been informed of the rule, which would prevent them from playing. Although the famous player Tim was not affected, he also said that it would lead to an unfair event, "If you can't leave the room for 14 days, no matter how much physical training you do indoors, a lot of things are lost." ”

However, from the state government to the organizers, it is clear that no one will be given privileges. After calming down, the players had to play against the wall to practice their hands, and some players also showed off "fancy practice". France's Alize Corney apologized to Melbourne residents who experienced a "curfew" and a "stay-at-home order" last year, saying: "I should apologize to the Australians... I realize what you've been through over the past year. ”

It is necessary to reassure the residents and make the players happy. Organizers then announced that in order to allow more than 70 players under the "hard quarantine" to regain their status as much as possible, a WTA event will be added before the Australian Open. According to statistics, about 30 female players, including the defending champion Knin, will participate in this new competition, which the media called the "Isolation Open".

The cost of running the tournament soared, and the cost of isolation attracted attention

The Australian Open has always been known for "not bad money", but this time it is under pressure. Moreover, quarantine and other additional costs who come out have become the focus of media attention.

Telly has said that due to the new cost of quarantine, the Victorian government where Melbourne is located will give support to the organizers. State official Lisa Neville denied this, saying that the entire cost of the hotel quarantine was borne by the Australian Open Association, but the state government would provide financial support for the event as a whole.

How much has the cost of running a tournament increased under the epidemic? Terry told local media that the additional costs associated with this year's Australian Open would deplete the Australian Open's $80 million (AU$4.90) cash reserves accumulated by the Australian Open over the past decade, and they would need to borrow at least $60 million from the government for concessional loans.

In order to alleviate the pressure, the Australian Open Association, after consultation with the South Australian government, let the top three men's singles players, such as Djokovic, Nadal, Thiem, Halep and Xiaowei, go to Adelaide for 14 days of quarantine. In this regard, Terry admitted that this plan can not only alleviate the pressure on Melbourne reception, but also allow the South Australian government to share some quarantine costs (44 million Australian dollars), but as a condition of negotiation between the two sides, these top players need to play an exhibition game there before heading to Melbourne.

The contradictions subsided, the money was settled, and the players were coming out. This weekend, more than 1,200 players and tournament personnel will end quarantine and begin pre-match warm-ups.

Xiao Wei, who was isolated at the hotel with her daughter, sighed: "It is really difficult to stay in the room every day with a three-year-old child! But it's all worth it because you want everyone to be healthy. ”

Nadal called for players to look at strict segregation with a global perspective. "You see how many people have lost their fathers and mothers, and they don't have time to say goodbye... That's what's happening in my country. So we can't complain about anything, we should feel lucky to have the opportunity to continue our work. Nadal said.

Source: International Online