Australian Open tennis players get creative in quarantine

Guests expecting some peace and quiet at a certain hotel in Melbourne are in for a rude awakening.

That’s because there are currently 72 professional tennis players using their rooms as makeshift training centres, after being placed under a strict 14-day quarantine in their rooms ahead of the Australian Open.

The drastic measures were imposed after at least nine positive coronavirus tests were returned from the charter flights bringing players, coaches, officials and media to the opening grand slam event of the year. At least one player is among those that have tested positive.

But regardless of the situation, the players need to ensure they are ready to perform on the event’s opening day, 8 February.

Below, we take a look at how some of the ace athletes have been getting their sweat on in lockdown, through creating temporary gyms, running tracks, and mini courts!

Russia’s Yulia Putintseva demonstrates ultimate control as she hits a ball against her wardrobe

Swiss star Belinda Bencic, who reached the US Open semi-finals in 2019, decided to get her practice in while enjoying a view of Melbourne’s skyline.

Canada’s Denis Shapovalov doesn't need a lot of his space to show off his fancy footwork.

No space, no problem! Former British No. 1 Heather Watson gets her sweat on, running shuttles from window to door.

Hand-to-eye coordination drill from the comfort of your room? Former Junior Wimbledon champion Anastasia Potapova has you covered…

Pablo Cuevas from Uruguay cleverly used his bed as a practice wall, meaning a more controlled shot and also less noise for his neighbours!

The lockdown isn’t ideal, and some of the players have expressed their displeasure at being kept in their rooms, but Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur remembers to see the funny side of the situation.