Australian Open lead up events thrown into chaos after hotel worker tests positive for COVID-19

Thursday’s matches at Australian Open warm-up events in Melbourne Park have been cancelled after a hotel quarantine worker tested positive to COVID-19.

Up to 600 players and support staff connected to the season’s first grand slam will have to isolate until they have been tested.

It comes after a worker at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Melbourne, who had worked his last shift on January 29, returned a positive test on Wednesday.

Tennis officials late on Wednesday night issued a statement about lead-up events for the Australian Open, amid fear of further spread of the virus.

“We will work with everyone involved to facilitate testing as quickly as possible,” Tennis Australia, organisers of the February 8-21 event, said.

“There will be no…