Murray tests COVID +ve, Australian Open participation in doubt

London (TIP): Britain’s former world No. 1 Andy Murray tested positive for the novel coronavirus recently and his participation in next month’s Australian Open is in doubt, local media reported on Thursday. The 33-year-old Murray, who is self-isolating and in good health, was awarded a wildcard to play in the main draw of the year’s first Grand Slam in Melbourne and still hopes to compete at the tournament, the reports added. However, that could prove difficult with players and officials required to arrive in Australia during a 36-hour window from Thursday and needing to serve a mandatory isolation of 14 days. The players, who will be allowed to spend five hours outside their rooms during quarantine for training purposes, will then play warm-up events at Melbourne Park from January 31 before the Australian Open starts on February 8. Organisers, Tennis Australia, were not immediately available to comment. Murray is currently ranked 123rd in the world.