The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause problems in the world of tennis with the top seed of the Forte Village Sardegna Open being forced to withdraw.
Fabio Fognini has moved into isolation after a routine test confirmed that he has contracted the virus. The positive result was announced on Wednesday via a statement issued by the ATP. The world No.16 is currently experiencing mild symptoms and is being monitored by the Tournament Physician and ATP medical team.
“Guys, I have to tell you that this morning I tested positive for Covid-19,” the 33-year-old wrote on Instagram in Italian. “The symptoms are very mild, a little cough and fever, headache … but unfortunately this bad news has arrived.
“I’m already in isolation and I’m convinced that I will recover very soon..”
A contact tracing process is also underway to identify anybody who may have come into contact with Fognini recently. Yesterday he participated in a doubles match in Sardinia along with rising star Lorenzo Musetti who reached the third round of the Italian Masters in August. Musetti is due to play his second round match against Andrea Pellegrino on Thursday morning.
“All the people with whom Fognini was in direct contact were placed in preventive isolation and subjected to new swabs,” the Italian Tennis Federation said in a statement to Reuters.
Fognini was the only top 20 player in the field for the inaugural event which is held on outdoor clay courts. He has been replaced in the draw by Serbian lucky loser Danilo Petrović who defeated Roberto Carbellas Baena 6-1, 6-4, earlier in the day.
‘Serious Breach’ under investigation in Russia
In another development it has been confirmed that the ATP is investigating a player who has reportedly broken COVID-19 protocols at the St Petersburg Open. An ATP 500 event that is featuring five players currently ranked in the world’s top 20. The governing body of men’s tennis hasn’t named the player but said in a statement they are ‘taking this matter extremely seriously.’
“The ATP is aware of an incident regarding a player’s serious breach of protocol relating to COVID-19 at this week’s St. Petersburg Open. Adhering to health and safety protocols is critical to ensure that events take place safely and within guidelines established by local authorities,” the statement reads.
“Players and their support team members are reminded that breaches of protocol can jeopardise an event’s ability to operate and have repercussions for the rest of the Tour. In accordance with the ATP’s Code of Conduct, we are taking this matter extremely seriously and an investigation is underway.”
On Monday it was confirmed that an unnamed player has been withdrawn from the tournament after testing positive for COVID-19. Whilst there was no official confirmation, the only player to withdraw from the draw due to illness was America’s Sam Querrey. New York Times journalist Ben Rothenberg has also reported that Querrey’s wife and baby son has also tested positive.
According to Rothenberg, the Querrey family was told to self-isolate for 14 days in a St. Petersburg hotel but was then told they would be visited by a doctor who could hospitalise them if they were found to have symptoms. Concerned about the latest development and the risk of being separated from their child, the family has fled Russia via private plane to an unnamed European country where they are staying in an AirBNB. A move that is classed as a serious breach of COVID-19 protocols.
There has been no public comment from Querrey and he is said to be keeping his current location secret.
