The controversial tennis player Tennys Sandgren left Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley after admitting that Top quarantined players in Adelaide are receiving preferential treatment.
Sandgren sparked outrage before the tournament on social media after revealing that he was allowed to board a chartered Australian Open flight to Melbourne, despite the positive test for COVID-19.
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It was considered a virus spill, but it still ended in 14 days of blocking when another passenger tested positive on arrival.
Sandgren praised Tiley at the time for helping him make the trip, but the American’s attitude changed after recent revelations.
People like Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka were photographed enjoying the sun on the balconies, while bringing much larger entourages to Australia.
They will have an exhibition in Adelaide on January 31, which Tiley said was a trade-off for the South Australian government to agree to take part in the hotel’s quarantine overflow when Melbourne runs out of beds.
The executive chairman of the Open said that the cards – several grand slam winners – will always receive special treatment.
“I have a feeling it is considered preferential treatment,” Tiley told the media.
“But they are the best players in the world and my general rule is: if you are at the top of the game, a Grand Slam champion, that is the nature of the business.
“You will get a better deal.”
Sandgren did not like Tiley’s explanation and went on Twitter on Wednesday to inform him.
“Perceived as? F ** k man, don’t contradict yourself in the same paragraph. Call it a shovel,” tweeted the American.
Tennis stars smoke over preferential treatment
Other tennis stars are reportedly upset about the extra freedom granted to those quarantined in Adelaide.
Osaka, the 2019 Australian Open champion, is clearly happy to have that luxury, posting a video on social media over her weekend and four members of her entourage on the training ground.
But it appears that the video was not well received by the other players locked in their hotel rooms, which prompted Osaka to exclude him.
A revolt broke out.
The players are not very happy with the uneven treatment of the big players in Adelaide.
This photo of Naomi Osaka made them crazy. pic.twitter.com/UX8yADxz4G
– Luca Fiorino (@FiorinoLuca) January 16, 2021
According to Italian journalist Luca Fiorino, “A revolt broke out” among other players.
“The players are not very happy with the unequal treatment of the big players in Adelaide,” tweeted Fiorino.
“This photo of Naomi Osaka has driven her (sic) crazy.”
with AAP
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