Players In Contact With Benoit Paire Receive Bad News at US Open 2020

US Open 2020 participant, Benoit Paire tested positive for the COVID-19 virus last Saturday. He was in close contact with a handful of players. These players were asked to stay back in New York until September 11. However, the situation worsened as they came to know that they were being strictly quarantined and won’t be able to leave their rooms from now on.

The players were promised to be allowed to train on the clay court as per the US Open 2020 regulations. However, on Friday morning, Richard Gasquet, Grégoire Barrère, and Édouard Roger-Vasselin,  Kirsten Flipkens, and Ysaline Bonaventure received the news of quarantine over the phone.

Players Negotiating to leave US Open 2020 venue

The players were ready to leave their rooms and go for their training. However, the New York State Department of Health issued a statement against the going out of the players. The directive asked the players to confine themselves to their rooms. Earlier which was a mere restriction from traveling away from the city, changed to a restriction on leaving their rooms.

The USTA regulation which allowed players to train and go out for matches. However, the rule is not applicable for the players already out of the US Open 2020. Therefore Adrian Mannarino and Kristina Mladenovic are still free to practice and leave their rooms.

The players even bargained to book a private jet to France and continuing their quarantine in their hometown. Negotiations carried on and even renting a flat was considered. However, all these schemes were turned down and a strict quarantine regulation has been imposed.

The USTA and the ATP are catering to the needs of the players. However, since the notification came down directly from the New York State Department of Health, it is highly unlikely they’d be able to bend the rules. With all negotiations being turned down, waiting and having patience seems to be the only option left for the players now.