23 more players in lockdown as Melbourne crisis spreads

Covid complications are beginning to mount as a Greek news source revealed that one un-named passenger on Abu Dhabi to Melbourne flight  EY8004  has tested positive .

23 of the 64 passengers on board were players, including Greek Maria Sakkari, Bianca Andreescu, Angelique Kerber, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Ons Jabeur, Belinda Bencic,and Marta Kostyuk.

Maria Sakkari – seen here in Melbourne 2020 was one of 23 players on board flight EY8004 Photo Anne Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd

They are now in strict quarantine which means they lose the ability to practice outdoors for five hours a day whilst in lockdown though they have been provided with exercise bikes delivered to their rooms by Australian Open organisers.

It was not a player who tested positive, but worryingly the passenger involved had tested negative prior to boarding the flight.

Roger Parker

Recent Posts

US Open 2026 Women’s Day 2

Aryna Sabalenka began her quest for a third straight title at the US Open as…

7 hours ago

US Open 2026 Men’s Day 2

Carlos Alcaraz ended a four-and-a-half month injury exile with a resounding 6-4, 6-4, 6-4  defeat…

7 hours ago

Venus loses late in 26th USO appearance

Williams has lost her last 15 matches as a wild card, with her last victory dating…

18 hours ago

US Open 2026 Men’s Day 1

Novak Djokovic hit the wall as the 24-time Grand Slam winner vomited at the back…

18 hours ago

US Open 2026 Women’s Day 1

Third seed Jessica Pegula got up and running on Sunday's opening day at the US…

1 day ago

Last-gasp pullout for injured Ruud

Former finalist Casper Ruud made a last-minute pull out on Sunday as the US Open began,…

1 day ago