Serena William praises "super strict" Aus Open COVID-19 protocols
Tennis superstar Serena Williams has praised the intense COVID-19 protocols in Adelaide as she finishes her two-week quarantine ahead of the Australian Open.
She spoke on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and praised the "super intense" biosecurity rules.
“It’s super, super strict, but it’s really good,” Williams said.
“So, Australia right now has, the last I heard, zero cases of COVID. So that is unbelievable, right, the whole country? That is really amazing.
“So when we come here in Australia, everyone has to quarantine in a room for 14 days. It’s insane and super intense but it’s super good because after that you can have a new normal like we were used to this time last year in the United States.”
“They’re doing it right. It’s definitely hard with a three-year-old to be in the hotel all day, but it’s worth it because you want everyone to be safe at the end of the day.”
Her praise comes after many tennis stars have been vocal about their disapproval of the intense quarantine rules.
World No. 2 Rafal Nadal said that he felt "very sorry" for those in lockdown.
“We knew that the measures were going to be strict because we knew that the country is doing great with the pandemic,” Nadal said.
“It’s normal to complain in some way but on the other hand when you have little bit wider perspective of what’s going on … you see how many are dying around the world.
“You see how many people are losing their father, their mum, without having the chance to say goodbye. It’s a real thing, that’s what’s happening in my country for example. Close people to me are suffering this situation.
“You have to stay a little more positive. I feel that we are privileged people today, having the chance to keep doing our jobs.”