Advertisement

Updated August 1st, 2020 at 22:19 IST

Tennis player tests positive for coronavirus at Palermo Open

A tennis player entered for the Palermo Ladies Open tested positive for the coronavirus and has withdrawn from the tournament, organizers announced Saturday.

| Image:self
Advertisement

A tennis player entered for the Palermo Ladies Open tested positive for the coronavirus and has withdrawn from the tournament, organizers announced Saturday.

While noting that the player is asymptomatic, the WTA Tour said in a statement that she will remain in isolation “until cleared by a physician per the established protocols.

“In addition, all those who may have been in close contact with the individual are undergoing testing per WTA protocols,” the women’s tour added. “The 31st Palermo Ladies Open will continue as planned.”

Local organizers, who would not name the player, said she was admitted to a national health facility designated for asymptomatic patients with COVID-19.

“The efficiency of the protocols and the related tests allowed us to intercept a positive case,” said Dr. Antonio Cascio, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Palermo who is the tournament’s anti-virus coordinator. “The player never left her hotel room while awaiting the results of the exams.”

All of the players for the tournament are staying in the same hotel.

The WTA tournament marks the return of tour-level tennis following a five-month break for the coronavirus pandemic.

It’s the first official event — for men or women — since early March.

Qualifying began Saturday with main draw action due to begin Monday.

After former French Open champions Simona Halep and Jelena Ostapenko withdrew, the main draw is headlined by last year’s Roland Garros finalist Markéta Vondroušová, No. 15 Petra Martić and No. 20 Maria Sakkari.

Tournament organizers had announced on Friday that more than 400 coronavirus tests were carried out on players and staff members and all of them came back negative.

Advertisement

Published August 1st, 2020 at 22:19 IST

Your Voice. Now Direct.

Send us your views, we’ll publish them. This section is moderated.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending Quicks

Congress Press Conference
a minute ago
Allu Arjun
a minute ago
Kia Motors
3 minutes ago
Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey: ‘Anti-India’ Bangladesh Journalist Who Questioned US, UN on Arvind Kejriwal
12 minutes ago
Mastering NDA Preparation: The Importance of Effective Revision Strategies and Organized Study Materials
14 minutes ago
Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli
16 minutes ago
Virat Kohli's text to RCB owners got WPL team to unbox event
19 minutes ago
Pakistan and the IMF agree on a $1.1 billion disbursement for the debt-ridden economy.
19 minutes ago
Patna Shuklla poster
21 minutes ago
Millet
23 minutes ago
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE
29 minutes ago
IndiGo direct flight between Mumbai and Ayodhya
33 minutes ago
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Whatsapp logo