A player set to compete in the U.S. Open tennis championship has tested positive for COVID-19 and has been forced to withdraw from …
A player set to compete in the U. S. Open tennis championship has tested positive for COVID-19 and has been forced to withdraw from the tournament, the USTA announced on Sunday. The player, who was not identified by tournament organizers, is asymptomatic, US Open officials said in a statement. The player has been advised that they must isolate for at least 10 days and contact tracing has been initiated to determine if anyone must quarantine for 14 days, the USTA said. The 2020 U. S. Open is set to be the first major sporting championship in the U. S. since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tournament organizers have been taking precautions to mitigate any possible spread of the novel coronavirus. Earlier this month, the USTA released their health and safety plan for the tournament. Players and members of the highest tiered bubble, including the players’ teams, tournament officials and medical personnel, will be tested twice and following 2 negative results, they will be tested every 4 days. Members of the tightest bubble will receive access to the National Tennis Center following the first negative test. Lower tiered people allowed onto the tennis facility will include broadcasters and support staff. « Our protocol for that task was a little different than the other leagues with all the global players and participation, we have players coming from around 60 different countries in the world, » USTA CEO Mike Dowse told ABC News. He added that moving Cincinnati’s Western & Southern Championship to the U. S. Open facilities in Flushing, Queens, helped create a 30-day bubble for players. Over a dozen players pulled out of the tournament ahead of play including Simona Halep, who is currently ranked No.
