Benoit Paire has been withdrawn from this year’s US Open after becoming the first player in the New York bubble to test positive for COVID-19, according to French media.
L’Equipe has confirmed that Paire, who was the 17th seed in the men’s draw, tested positive for the virus during this weekend. The development follows his retirement from his opening match at the Western and Southern Open eight days ago due to illness. Although all of Paire’s tests had been given the all clear until now. The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that it takes between 2-14 days for somebody to develop symptoms after being exposed to the virus.
Paire is now isolating in his hotel room where he isn’t allowed to leave under USTA protocols. He is alone in his room after coach, Gorgan Bourbon, returned to France earlier in the week. The CDC outlines that those who test positive for COVID-19 ’must isolate for 10 days and be fever free for 72 hours without the assistance of medication.’
The USTA, who oversees the US Open, is running their anti-COVID measures in accordance with the CDC. In a brief statement they acknowledged that an ‘unnamed’ player had tested positive and they are asymptomatic.
“A player has tested positive for COVID-19 at the US Open and has been withdrawn from the tournament. The player is asymptomatic. The USTA, together with its medical advisors and infectious disease specialist from the Mount Sinai Health System, confirmed a positive test result for a player. In accordance with New York State Department of Health requirements, and in alignment with CDC guidelines and the Tournament health and safety protocols, the player has been advised that they must isolate for at least 10 days. In addition, contact tracing has been initiated to determine if anyone must quarantine for 14 days.“
There are also concerns brewing for other players who have been in close contact with Paire in recent days. French sources have confirmed to L’Equipe that Richard Gasquet, Grégoire Barrere, Edouard Roger-Vasselin, Adrian Mannarino and coach Nicolas Copin have been told to remain in their rooms until further notice. No further details have been given about what will happen to them next. Out of that group Mannarino is the only player scheduled to start his US Open campaign on Monday.
This year’s US Open is being held behind closed doors with players being kept inside a ‘biosecure bubble’ due to the pandemic. Those who go outside of the bubble without permission have been told they face expulsion from the tournament.
The tournament officially starts on Monday.
