The top seeds in this year’s US Open women’s doubles draw has been withdrawn from the competition due to one of them being in close contact with Benoit Paire.
Kristina Mladenovic, along with her partner Timea Babos, unexpectedly disappeared from Saturday’s order of play where they were scheduled to play Gabriela Dabrowski and Alison Riske. The Frenchwoman is one of 11 players currently living in what is being described as a ‘bubble inside a bubble’ after being in contact with Paire, who tested positive for COVID-19 a week ago. Although he has since tested negative.
The removal of Mladenovic comes a day after Adrian Mannarino was almost prevented from playing his clash with Alexander Zverev. There was a lengthy delay to the match following discussions between the USTA and New York health officials, who wanted Mannarino to not play. Although he was eventually allowed to take to the court most likely due to the fact he was already on site and had been warming up for the match.
Although New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has decided not to give a special mission to Mladenovic. The USTA have confirmed that she has been placed into quarantine by Nassau County and will not be allowed to leave her room for the reminder of the quarantine period. The tournament are obligated to follow rules set out by local authorities.
“Public health officials of Nassau county, N.Y., have issued quarantine notices for all individuals who had previously close contact with a person who previously tested positive for COVID-19 coronavirus,” The USTA said in a statement.
“As the players are staying in Nassau County, the quarantine notices prevents any of these individuals from committing to the Billie Jean Tennis Center in New York City, The USTA is obligated to adhere to government guidance at the state, city and county level.’
“All persons who were identified as having prolonged close contact with the infected player will quarantine in their room for the remainder of the period. Kristina Mladenovic is one of these individuals, and as the women’s doubles competition has begun, the team of Mladenovic and Timea Babos has been withdrawn from the US Open.”
Mladenovic is currently staying in the players hotel which is located in Nassau County. Meaning the ruling by officials overrides the existing agreement the US Open, which is located in Queen’s, had in New York.
The development comes after the 27-year-old blasted officials at the tournament over the new ‘bubble in bubble’ policy. Originally she was only allowed to play after signing a new waiver that limits her movement around the site. It is unclear as to why there has been a sudden change.
“I have the impression we are prisoners or criminals,” she said following her second round loss on Wednesday. “For even the slightest movement, we have to ask permission even though we are tested every day and had 37 negatives. It’s abominable. The conditions are atrocious.”
It is understood that all of those who have been in close contact with Paire are not allowed to exit the bubble until September 11th regardless of if they are in the tournament or not. Besides Mladenovic, Gregoire Barrere, Richard Gasquet, Adrian Mannarino, Edouard Roger-Vasselin, Ysaline Bonaventure and Kirsten Flipkens have been placed under the tighter restrictions. Meaning they will also not be allowed leave their rooms over the coming days.
