Australian Open preparations rocked by fourth positive coronavirus test

Staff chat at a hotel in Melbourne where players are quarantining for two weeks ahead of the Australian Open

(AFP via Getty Images)

A fourth positive coronavirus case has been recorded from Australian Open charter flights carrying athletes and their support teams into Melbourne for the first grand slam of the year.

Covid-19 Quarantine Victoria commissioner Emma Cassar revealed the news on Sunday, adding the positive test was returned by a broadcast team member on a charter flight from Los Angeles.

Two other people on that flight had earlier tested positive, while another case was detected on a flight from Abu Dhabi.

Cassar said: "It's important to note that all the four positives all had a negative test result prior to boarding the plane.

"I can confirm that all player and training partner test results are now in."

The new case comes after Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley insisted players were made aware of the risks of being put into isolation on arrival in the country.

A total of 47 players have been told they will have to stay in their hotel rooms for 14 days following the positive tests.