Image Source : GETTY IMAGES Rohan Bopanna
The lodge room wall helps him get some apply and an internet course preserving boredom at bay. Rohan Bopanna’s build-up to the season-opening Australian Open has been removed from ideally suited as far as he waits for his day of freedom — January 30.
The 40-year-old was on one of many three flights out of a complete of 17 Tennis Australia-arranged chartered planes, that landed in Melbourne with optimistic circumstances on board.
He is in his tenth straight day of onerous ‘quarantine’ ever since — confined to his room.
However, the veteran, who left Bangalore on January 15 and had a 25-hour layover in Doha earlier than reaching Melbourne, wouldn’t name it an ordeal simply but.
“If you test positive, you would be in hard quarantine but what we did not know that if someone on your flight tests positive then everyone also had to be in hard quarantine. That’s what happened,” Bopanna instructed PTI from Melbourne.
“My coach Scott Davidoff was also in one of those three flights and they also told him that he can’t leave for 14 days and follow hard quarantine.”
Bopanna has empathy for the organisers, who, he says, are dealing with an enormous problem in making certain a easy run for the competitors however cannot cover his personal frustration both.
“We still are not allowed in any circumstances. Practice is out (of question). Maximum I have done is against the wall in this small room. Whatever fitness I can do in this room. Luckily Tennis Australia helped with Uber Eats (app) that delivers nice food,” he stated.
“They have done their very best to help the players. Craig Tiley (Tournament Director) is extremely hard working. Everyday they have zoom calls, speaking to the players who are in hard quarantine. It’s been extremely difficult (for players),” he defined.
It’s not the identical for different Indians although. Ankita Raina, Sumit Nagal and Divij Sharan are getting 5 hours outdoors their rooms for on-court apply, health club periods, consuming and travelling to courts.
Bopanna stated he was not ready for such the scenario he’s in. What is worse is that his accomplice for the Australian Open — Portugal’s Joao Sousa — examined optimistic for coronavirus, forcing him to tug out.
The Indian is now on the lookout for a accomplice from among the many gamers who’re already in Melbourne.
“Ideally, to get right into a Grand Slam, it is not the scenario you need to be in. I had a superb low season and a coaching camp on the academy. (N Sriram) Balaji and Riya (Bhatia) had come down from Delhi. Former nationwide champion Niki Poonacha, was additionally there.
“That was unlucky that you’re getting ready and now you aren’t in a position to step out of your room for 14 days. I get out on thirtieth and thirty first is when the primary ATP occasion of the season begins.
“I do not know the way I might be in that scenario, I’ve by no means been on this scenario earlier than, the place I’ve not practised and gotten straight right into a match. It might be new expertise.
“I am looking for a partner who I can get in with as an alternate. I need to find someone high enough to play with me. I am sure I will get but going into a Grand Slam, it’s not the best preparation.”
The guidelines specified that gamers might solely select between coach and physio for journey to Melbourne and Bopanna thought having coach can be higher.
“Looking back I would have loved to have physio with me. That’s where I am at now. So, what else he is doing apart from hitting against the wall. I am doing some online courses, keeping myself busy.”
Bopanna had accomplished a course in International Entertainment and Sports Marketing from Yonsei University earlier than enrolling himself to a brand new one.
“I am doing a lot of video calls back home with my wife, daughter, friends, I am talking to them. A few players have also been talking to me, asking how I am doing.”
“Interesting past 8-9 days. 30th is the day, I get my freedom.”
