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Spanish officials make U-turn after hitting out at Tennis Australia


The Royal Spanish Tennis Federation (RFET) has apologised to Tennis Australia (TA) on Saturday after their criticism over the treatment of two Spanish players in quarantine before the Australian Open. 

The RFET sent out a press statement on Thursday evening highlighting two players they felt were being harshly treated and accused TA of withholding information concerning the requirement to quarantine in the case of any positive Covid tests on their chartered flight.

“[Players] were not informed about the possibility that they would be severely confined if they travelled on the same plane with a passenger who tested positive, without taking into account the physical proximity of the players affected with that positive,” the press release read.

“Mario Vilella and Carlos Alcaraz are confined in a room without being able to leave for 14 days when they have both performed multiple PCRs that have been negative.

“It is evident that these two players will not be able to compete on equal terms with the rest of the players.”

However, the RFET then apologised for its criticism of Tennis Australia’s handling of quarantine measures in a fresh statement on Saturday morning after one of its stars, Paula Badosa, tested positive two weeks before the Australian Open.

“First of all, we apologise to Tennis Australia if our statement has at any time been interpreted as a criticism of their working methods, nothing is further from our intention,” the new release read.

“The RFET thanks Tennis Australia for the effort to organise, in these times so complicated by the global pandemic, the first Grand Slam of the season, something vital for our tennis players who are going to compete again and generate resources.

“The RFET wants to reiterate its solidarity with all the players who have tested positive. He also wants to support Spanish athletes who, due to different circumstances, are undergoing strict 14-day confinement.”


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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.