PLAYERS who arrived Down Under last week for the Australian Open are undergoing a strict quarantine process, where they can only leave their hotel rooms for several hours a day to practice.

However, there are 72 players in a full 14-day lockdown, having been on planes where players and coaches tested positive for the virus, and they are not allowed out of their hotel rooms at all.

And this is where the problem lies for Keighley-born Jonny O'Mara.

He is in the former category, and is allowed out to practice, but doubles partner Artem Sitak is confined to his room for two weeks, having been on one of the aforementioned affected planes.

O'Mara, who reached the quarter-finals with El Salvador's Marcelo Arevalo last year, is 58th in the world doubles rankings compared to New Zealand-based Sitak being in 78th, and is keen to begin work.

Sitak and O'Mara have never actually played together, so the latter admits the separation is disruptive.

He is however, fully understanding of the need to avoid any unnecessary risks and is just glad his new partner is well, having tested negative for the virus.

The tournament is due to get underway in Melbourne on February 8.