The Facts
On Monday, Australian Open director Craig Tiley announced that players won’t have to be tested for COVID, and could even play if they have the virus at this year’s tournament.
Tiley noted that the Australian Open’s policy is in line with what’s gone on in the wider community. He called it a “normalised [sic] environment” and compared tennis’s situation with that of cricket.
The Spin
Narrative A
Players can rejoice knowing they’ll be able to play the 2022 Australian Open under pre-COVID circumstances. It’s great that after last year’s debacle with Djokovic, the tournament has decided to avoid controversy and just let the players play.
Narrative B
The COVID crisis is far from over, as a new subvariant is skirting immunity and causing a major wave to roll through Australia. In addition to putting the players’ health at risk, this sets a terrible example for the community as a whole.
