One of Australia’s top doubles players have accused the US Open of playing with fire by allowing a series of players to continue playing despite being in close contact with somebody who has tested positive for COVID-19.
Ellena Perez, who currently has a doubles ranking of 40th, posted a statement on social media hitting out at the decision which has been described as a ‘bubble inside the bubble’ policy. Those who have been in close contact with Benoit Paire, which tested positive for the virus on Sunday, have had to sign a new agreement that places additional restrictions on them. For example they are not allowed to use lifts and must eat in their room. The names of those players affected have not been released by the US Open but Kristina Mladenovic has confirmed she is one of them. Alexander Zverev also reportedly told German Eurosport that Daniil Medvedev is another player affected but this has since been denied by the coach of the Russian player.
The head of the US Open, Stacey Allaster, told The Tennis Channel on Monday the decision to keep those players in the tournament has been based on ‘medical science and all of those facts.’ However, Perez has slammed organisers and accused them of ‘running a dangerously thin line.’
“The new protocols are misleading, disrespectful and wrong,” the 24-year-old posted on social media on Tuesday.
“You’re sending the message you can be close contact to a positive person and be fine to play and be around others.
“How can one week you enforce the correct strict rules and the next week you not. You run a dangerously thin line with this.
“If any of those close contacts turn back an eventual positive test after having played I hope everyone takes action against these reckless and dangerous protocols.
“This isn’t a game. You spend so much money on trying to ensure the safety of players to then get a crucial moment where leadership is required and you let us down.”
Organizers are also under fire over what appears to be a change in their protocols over the past week. At the Western and Southern Open, which preceded Flushing Meadows, two South American players were excluded from the tournament after their trainer tested positive. Guido Pella and Hugo Dellien were not given the option to sign a stricter waiver and neither tested positive for the virus during their self-isolation period.
“It seems if they let the French play, they should have done the same for Guido and Hugo,” The New York Times quoted Juan Ignacio Londero saying following his first-round victory on Monday. “It’s not that I don’t want the French to play, but it seems a bit unfair, that’s all.”
Edouard Roger-Vasselin is another who have signed the waivers. Speaking to French newspaper L’Equipe, he says there is still uncertainty about what will happen if he loses his match in New York and if he will be expected to stay on the premises. Usually anybody who comes into close contact with somebody with COVID-19 are advised to self-isolate for up to 14 days and avoid travelling.
“The other big question is also knowing what happens to you if you lose? No one has been able to tell me yet. Do you have to stay in quarantine? Suddenly it makes you want to win even more,” he said.
The Associated Press has reported that there are seven players who have signed the new conditions.
