Hundreds isolated, tested as Covid case rocks Australian Open build-up AFP/Melbourne More than 1,000 players, coaches and officials jetted into largely virus-free Australia last month. Six Australian Open warm-up events were on hold and hundreds of players and officials were in isolation Thursday as a fresh coronavirus case left organisers scrambling to ensure the Grand Slam tennis tournament goes ahead. Health officials insisted the risk to players and officials was “low” after a staff member at one of the tournament’s designated hotels tested positive. But Thursday’s play at six tournaments at Melbourne Park — five ATP and WTA warm-up tournaments, as well as the ATP Cup team event — was cancelled as a precaution.