Novak Djokovic reportedly issued a list of demands to tournament director Craig Tiley in a bid to improve quarantine conditions for players ©Getty Images

World number one Novak Djokovic’s calls for quarantine conditions to be eased to allow players to prepare for the Australian Open have been snubbed by officials in Victoria.

Djokovic issued a list of demands to tournament director Craig Tiley to provide support to those that have been ordered to stay in their hotel rooms for two weeks.

The number of players forced to adhere to strict quarantine rules has risen from 47 to 72 after a third chartered flight arrived into Melbourne with a passenger infected with COVID-19.

Among Djokovic’s requests include reducing the isolation period with more coronavirus testing carried out, moving players to private houses with access to a tennis court and the delivering of "decent food" and fitness equipment to their rooms.

The Serbian's calls have been rebuffed with Emma Cassar, commissioner for COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria, insisting "It’s definitely a no from me".

"We’re not modifying our programme,” said Cassar.

"We understand that the 14 days is really tough.

"We are here to work with the players and Tennis Australia to make that as pleasant and not impact their training as much as possible, but we’re not taking risks on community safety."

A total of 72 players are now under strict quarantine rules in Melbourne and will be unable to train for two weeks ©Getty Images
A total of 72 players are now under strict quarantine rules in Melbourne and will be unable to train for two weeks ©Getty Images

Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews also refused to consider relaxing the quarantine rules as the state battles to contain the spread of coronavirus.

"The rules will not be changing, because the public health advice is where those rules came from," said Andrews.

"People are free to provide lists of demands, but the answer is no.

"I know that there's been a bit of chatter from a number of players about the rules.

"Well, the rules apply to them as they apply to everybody else, and they were all briefed on that before they came, and that was the condition on which they came.

"There's no special treatment here.

"Because the virus doesn't treat you specially.

"So, neither do we."

Djokovic has previously faced criticism over his response to the pandemic after organising an exhibition tournament across four nations in the Balkans last June with little social distancing measures in place.

The 17-time major winner later described the backlash to the ill-fated Adria Tour as a "witch hunt".

While most players have flown to Melbourne, Djokovic is set to take part in an exhibition event in Adelaide later this month along with other star names.

Fifteen chartered flights have been organised to bring around 1,200 players, coaches, entourage members and officials to Melbourne ahead of the Australian Open.

But the tournament has been plunged into chaos after five passengers across three of those flights tested positive for COVID-19.

Players who came into contact will now be unable to hit the tennis courts for two weeks, while others will be allowed out of their rooms for five hours a day to train under the original quarantine protocol.

Grand Slam champions Victoria Azarenka, Angelique Kerber, Bianca Andreescu and Sloane Stephens are reportedly among those affected, along with Japanese star Kei Nishikori.

The third plane is understood to have had 25 players on board and was travelling from Doha where the men’s qualification tournament for the first Grand Slam of the year was held.

Frustrations have been growing among players who have been confined to their rooms, with many taking to social media to express their dismay at the situation.

They have been warned that they could face fines of up to $20,000 (£14,718/€16,557) if found to be persistently breaching rules.

The Australian Open is scheduled to run from February 8 to 21 after it was postponed by three weeks to allow for the period of quarantine after players arrive in the country.

Calls have been made for the tournament to be pushed back again, but organisers have stressed the competition will start as planned.