MELBOURNE (AUSTRALIA) – There was an eerie silence at Melbourne Park on the sixth day of the Australian Open on Saturday when the game began. This is in sharp contrast to previous years when the venue teems with spectators.
A snap lockdown lasting five days to stem the spread of the pandemic came into effect just before midnight on Friday. This places curbs on the six million residents of Victoria, forcing them to remain at home.
Normally, shops, bars and restaurants near the game venue teem with fans. But this time, the only sounds heard are the muffled chatter of police, security guards and match officials.
Tennis players have also been told to remain indoors. Twenty of them played in front of empty stands in two singles and four doubles matches on Saturday.
During the lockdown period, the players will be transported between a Melbourne Park bubble and their residences.
Players have accepted the lockdown but they will miss the fans.
“I was so happy yesterday morning when I thought I would be playing in front of a big crowd,” said Karolina Muchova after her victory on Saturday over Karolina Pliskova in Rod Laver Arena, which has a capacity of 15,000.
“Unlucky now for five days but hopefully they will come back. It’s definitely better with fans.”
Outside the gates of Melbourne Park, there was a protest against the lockdown by a crowd of 300 people on Friday. However, most of the city residents have come to terms with the curbs.
“I’m a big tennis fanatic, so it’s bittersweet,” Desi Day said on Friday. “I know that it has to happen, but at the same time I’m super disappointed.”
Organisers are hoping that at least 25,000 spectators will be back in the stands from Thursday onwards for the finals and semi-finals.
One new case of local transmission of the virus was confirmed in the state on Saturday morning, said health officials of Victoria. The number of active cases in the state stands at 20.