The extreme lengths to which Australia’s authorities are going to stop tennis players spreading Covid were borne out by the case of Paula Badosa, the world No 67 from Spain.
Having tested positive six days into quarantine after her arrival in Melbourne, she was removed into a separate, government-run ‘health hotel’ where she admitted to feelings of claustrophobia and anxiety. Eventually, Tennis Australia managed to supply her with some weights, with which to try to prepare herself for next week’s Australian Open.
However, her request for an exercise bike was turned down by local health officials, who decided it contravened their ‘infection control’ policies.