Belgian tennis player Alison Van Uytvanck announced today that she contracted COVID-19 after playing in the Australian Open. She was partnering with Clara Tauson in the women’s doubles tournament but lost in a 3-set match already in the first round.
“My test for leaving Melbourne on my way to Belgium was positive. So I can’t go home at the moment, I’m staying in isolation in Australia”, said Alison Van Uytvanck. “I have very mild symptoms and I’m looking forward. I hope I get better as soon as possible”, added she.
But the situation may escalate, as it turns out that Clara Tauson then played a single with Danielle Collins (USA). Alison Van Uytvanck also dropped out of the singles in the second round when she was defeated by China’s Wang Qiang.
The 30-year-old American has continued and will currently play with Elise Mertens (Belgium) for a place in the quarter-finals. It remains to be seen what will happen to Danielle Collins and in what protocol she will be placed.
The Belgian is the third competitor with a positive result for COVID-19 at the Australian Open. The first was Bernard Tomic (Australia) and the test came out after his defeat in the qualifiers, and the next was Ugo Humbert (France), who was eliminated in the starting round.