The seven players who have been deemed as closed contacts of Benoite Paire have been told that they will not be allowed to leave New York until September 11th, according to French media.
L’Equipe newspaper and BFMTV have both confirmed that all of the French players who recently signed a new waiver after coming into contact with somebody who tested positive for COVID-19 will be unable to leave earlier than that date following failed negotiations. On Thursday a meeting was held between the ATP, USTA and New York Health concerning the situation. It is unclear as to why the WTA wasn’t represented. In recent days the French tennis federation has sought to find a solution to get the group back in their home country earlier but have been unable to do so.
Adrian Mannarino, Richard Gasquet, Grégoire Barrere, Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Kristina Mladenovic are the players affected by this decision. Furthermore, it has been reported that Belgian players Ysaline Bonaventure and Kirsten Flipkens are also part of the group. Only Mannarino and Mladenovic are still playing in the tournament this year.
“I’m going to have to stay until Friday the 11th with my coach, Kirsten (Flipkens) and all the others who are in this situation. It’s hard to accept. It’s New York Health that decides. Mentally. It will be complicated to train to prepare for the season on clay. It’s not luck, we can’t do much,” Bonaventure told BFMTV.
Meanwhile Alize Cornet, who is not one of those affected, has blasted authorities by describing the decision as absurd. Under protocol, those who have been in contact with somebody that has tested positive for COVID-19 have to isolate for a set period to minimise the risk of them potentially spreading the virus.
“It is excessive, totally absurd,” Cornet told reporters. “At a certain point, you have to stop being psycho-rigid. Let them in! Especially since they are negative. “
The decision will have a serious consequence on some of the players and their hopes of playing in the Italian Open. The tournament starts on September 14th but some are not ranked higher enough to play in the main draw. Meaning they will need to do through qualifying that starts on the day they are allowed to leave New York. Gasquet, Barrere and Flipkens are all registered to play in qualifying.
As a result of the outcome, the USTA has allowed the players to practice on clay-courts at another facility located in the city.
