Japanese tennis star Kei Nishikori is in danger of missing the upcoming US Open after testing positive for COVID-19 on Sunday morning.
Nishikori, who is a former finalist in New York, is currently based in Florida where he took the test. In an official press release, the world No.30 said he was feeling well and experiencing ‘very little symptoms.’ Although he didn’t elaborate any further on why he opted to undergo a test to begin with or if it was recommended before he travelled to another part of the country.
The positive diagnosis means Nishikori will enter into self-isolation in Florida and subsequently miss the Western and Southern Open, which will start a week tomorrow. The tournament was set to be his first on the ATP Tour this year. Nishikori hasn’t played a Tour match since September due to an elbow injury, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic which has brought the sport to a five-month pause.
“I have some unfortunate news today. This morning whilst still in Florida I got tested for COVID-19 and tested positive,” a statement from Nishikori reads.
“I will have to pull out of the Cincinnati tournament (relocated to New York this year) at this time. Me and my team will get tested again on Friday at which point I will have another update.’
“I am feeling well and have very little symptoms but will obviously be in complete isolation for the safety of everyone.”
Should Nishikori still test positive for the virus on Friday he will almost certainly be ruled out of playing in the US Open, which starts at the end of this month. The Grand Slam is taking place amid tightening restrictions to help address the threat posed by the virus. Measures include banning fans from attending and limiting players to where they can go to in the city.
It is not the first time a tennis player has caught the Coronavirus with various cases occurring on both sides of the Atlantic. The most well known was associated with the Adria Tour where players such as Grigor Dimiktrov, Novak Djokovic and Viktor Troicki tested positive. More recently, an unnamed player tested positive at a Challenger tournament in Prague yesterday.
This year’s US Open is taking place without both of their reigning champions, Rafael Nadal and Bianca Andreescu, who have withdrawn due to health-related concerns. The tournament will start on August 31st.
