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Sandgren said on Twitter he had tested positive
in November and returned another positive test on Monday and
might not be able to board the flight, one of 15 carrying
players and coaching staff to the first Grand Slam of the year.
However, he was able to board the flight with the help of
Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley.
"Wow I'm on the plane," he said.
"Craig Tiley is a wizard."
The world number 50, a quarter-finalist at Melbourne Park last
year and in 2018, later tweeted: "My two tests were less than 8
weeks apart. I was sick in November, totally healthy now.
"There's not a single documented case where I would be
contagious at this point."
A spokesperson for COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria said it was
common among people who had previously tested positive to "shed
viral fragments for some time - which can trigger another
positive result".
Tennis Australia said in a statement the decision to allow
Sandgren to fly had been made after a review by medical
officials.
"In the case of Tennys Sandgren, who has self-disclosed that he
previously tested positive in late November, his medical file
had to be reviewed by Victorian health authorities," it said.
"Upon completion of that review he was cleared to fly."
Tennis Australia said any athlete who has recovered from
COVID-19 must undergo a similar health review and earn "special
clearance" from the authorities before travelling to Australia.
Some 1,200 players and coaching staff are set to begin arriving
from Thursday for the Feb. 8-21 tournament, which was delayed by
three weeks.
Victoria state, once the country's COVID-19 hotspot, has said it
will impose the strongest protocols seen at any tennis
tournament for those flying in.
Players and staff must isolate for two weeks before they can
take part in warmup events at Melbourne Park.
Tennis Australia said players would undergo a more rigorous
testing schedule ahead of the Australian Open than most
returning travellers.
(Reporting by Ian Ransom; additional reporting by Hardik Vyas;
Editing by Peter Rutherford)
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