Naomi Osaka picture causes more problems over quarantine ahead of Australian Open
The 2019 Australian Open champion is quarantining in Adelaide, instead of Melbourne, where the grand slam will take place
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Naomi Osaka has appeared to delete a social media post of her practicing ahead of the Australian Open with four members of her team.
The 23-year-old is among a group of elite tennis players quarantining in Adelaide instead of Melbourne, where the first grand slam of the season will take place from 10 February.
There has been some unrest at the decision, with arguments that the world’s best players will receive an unfair advantage.
The 72 players in Melbourne are experiencing a hard quarantine due to five positive tests for Covid-19 from three separate chartered flights.
READ MORE: Nick Kyrgios labels Novak Djokovic ‘a tool’ over Australian Open quarantine demands
With Victoria law enforcing the players to adhere to a strict 14-day quarantine which forbids training or seeing their coaching team.
But Osaka and others, including Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, can enjoy five hours per day outside to train in Adelaide.
And after sharing a video of herself outside with her team practicing, Osaka has seemingly attracted animosity from her fellow players with the post swiftly deleted.
Australian doubles player Philipp Oswald has bemoaned the situation, specifically the lack of support staff for those players not in Melbourne.
“Conditions are much better in Adelaide,” Oswald said. “First, players were allowed to take a lot more staff with them. Medvedev and Zverev, for example, were only allowed to take two people with them, while Thiem, Nadal and Djokovic each came with 10 people.
“They also have a gym in their hotel. So they don’t have to do their fitness exercises during the five-hour period.
“You only have the five hours to play tennis. There was a huge discussion and the other players were also upset.
“It was then that Djokovic could understand that and wanted to be in Melbourne like the other players. One day later it was said that everything was already organised for him in Adelaide.
“It’s not apples and apples here, but apples and pears — and I caught the sour lemon.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments