It’s been a pretty hectic start to the 2021 Australian Open.
With 72 players now having to spend 14 days in a strict quarantine environment, Australian Government Officials have been taking a hard approach to the ongoing quarantine situation.
On a lighter note, we’ve been keeping a close eye on what the players have been up to in insolation.
And we’ve seen some pretty creative training sessions!
From 5K hotel room runs to makeshift mattress tennis courts, it seems most players are finding innovative ways to continue to prepare for the tournament within the bounds of their hotel rooms.
Here are some of the best things we’ve seen so far!
Rocky III
It looks like Daria Kasatkina and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova have been channeling inspiration from Rocky Balboa, issuing a statement of intent to their competitors with this Stallone-esq montage…
Preparation for @AustralianOpen with @NastiaPav is in progress😛 #DD pic.twitter.com/RG1EtL66Dl
— Daria Kasatkina (@DKasatkina) January 16, 2021
They’re not the only ones to have been going through gruelling hotel room workout regimes.
French Open champion Iga Swiatek has also been putting herself through some intense training sessions from the confines of her own room.
French Open champion Iga Swiatek hasn’t let quarantine rules stop her from preparing for the Australian Open https://t.co/21GlIByzvC pic.twitter.com/pAR6cMmQVZ
— CBS News (@CBSNews) January 18, 2021
The 19-year-old grand slam winner also got out onto the court for the first time this week and looks like she’ll be coming into form ahead of the Gippsland Trophy and Yarra Valley Classic in two weeks’ time.
Iga Świątek już trenuje w Melbourne. #AusOpen
— Dawid Żbik (@zbikdawid) January 19, 2021
🎥 @iga_swiatek IG pic.twitter.com/IDuOUtCqtd
2020 French Rivera Open champion Macarenas Cabrillana also showed no one was going to put a stop to her preparations for the tournament.
This is awesome 💪💪💪 https://t.co/WHoaQblyB2
— AusOpen Club (@AusOpenClub) January 19, 2021
Mattress Madness
Swapping training walls for hotel mattresses, players have been utilizing all sorts of hotel furniture to help them practice.
Teen sensation Coco Gauff looks like she’ll be ready to unleash her devastating forehand in two weeks time, getting her swing up to full speed in this video.
Quarantine Tingzzzzz @AustralianOpen ✌🏾😝 pic.twitter.com/mevsbwifVX
— Coco Gauff (@CocoGauff) January 19, 2021
While Ons Jabeur and her team look don’t look to be letting the stricter isolation rules get to them either!
As you all know, I am one of the players that has been placed in full isolation. Not the easiest news to get but staying strong and making the best of it. I am committed to do whatever it takes to get ready despite the circumstances. Time to get creative 😜 👇👇 pic.twitter.com/pTdZDy0saM
— Ons Jabeur (@Ons_Jabeur) January 18, 2021
Meanwhile, Belinda Bencic switched things up and has been training with a cracker of a view. Let’s hope that glass holds firm though!
Belinda Bencic hotel room practice against her room’s window 🎾👀 #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/7VZtF8qTCI
— Samuel Begg – Tennis (@samuelbegg) January 17, 2021
And Vasek Pospisil has been getting used to playing on a new surface… the carpet at the Grand Hyatt!
Day 5 of isolation. Making some adjustments to training but still getting some work done 🙂 #AusOpen2021 pic.twitter.com/5x0vZ4SnT6
— Vasek Pospisil (@VasekPospisil) January 19, 2021
Bed To Bath 5K
British No.2, Heather Watson, is making no excuses about the current quarantine restrictions, posting a video of herself smashing a 5K between her bedroom and her bathroom!
And although she might be a bit dizzy after that one, she’ll certainly be rearing to go in two weeks’ time!
5k 😅 pic.twitter.com/oL2Qehg2LE
— Heather Watson (@HeatherWatson92) January 17, 2021
12 Days To Go!
With most players now only having 12 days left of quarantine, training schedules are starting to ramp up, with players now getting their chance to take to the practice courts.
Nothing feels better than this….@AustralianOpen @ausgov @CraigTiley Incredible job taking into consideration the logistics involved. Chapeau 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Cannot wait for the players to see the Australian fans in 2 weeks time 🎾 pic.twitter.com/pIZENkMdJf
— Daniel Vallverdu (@danielvallverdu) January 19, 2021
For more updates and all the latest news from this year’s Australian Open, make sure to follow the Australian Open Club on Facebook and Twitter!
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