via Getty
A general view of the stadium as Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns a forehand in his Men’s Singles Final match against Denis Shapovalov of Canada on day 7 of the Rolex Paris Masters, part of the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 held at the at AccorHotels Arena on in Paris, France. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
via Getty
A general view of the stadium as Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns a forehand in his Men’s Singles Final match against Denis Shapovalov of Canada on day 7 of the Rolex Paris Masters, part of the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 held at the at AccorHotels Arena on in Paris, France. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
In a quick turn of events, top doubles player Joe Salisbury has been withdrawn from the Rolex Paris Masters. After coming in close contact with a COVID-19 case, Salisbury was immediately moved into isolation. However, despite testing negative, the Briton has been forced to pull out of the indoor tournament.
The ATP issued a statement on November 2, 2020, mentioning that in compliance with the regulations of the local health authorities, Salisbury won’t be allowed to participate.
“Following sustained close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case, and in accordance with directives of local health authorities, Joe Salisbury has been withdrawn from the doubles main draw of the Rolex Paris Masters.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Rolex Paris Masters – ATP Statement pic.twitter.com/4hcyI51gVT
— ATP Media Info (@ATPMediaInfo) November 2, 2020
Team Joe Salisbury/Rajeev Ram replaced
In the official circular, ATP wrote about Salisbury being isolated and in an asymptomatic condition. Although the ATP kept the person’s identity concealed, it is believed that someone from Salisbury’s support team tested positive.
“The credentialed individual, confirmed as COVID-19 positive on November 1, 2020, was moved into isolation. Mr Salisbury, who has not tested positive for COVID-19, was also moved into isolation and remains asymptomatic,” wrote ATP.
The governing body contended that the tournament physician and ATP medical team will continue to monitor the conditions of the ‘credentialed individual’ and Joe Salisbury.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Salisbury’s doubles partner, Rajeev Ram, has also tested negative for coronavirus. But the reigning Australian Open doubles champions have already been replaced in the draw.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The Anglo-American duo has already qualified for the year-end ATP World Tour Finals. But the withdrawal is a tremendous blow to the duo’s hopes of ending the season as the top-ranked doubles team. Last week, the duo pulled out of the quarterfinals of the Vienna Open because Ram had suffered a leg injury.
Salisbury-Ram will play alongside US Open champions Mate Pavic and Bruno Soares, French Open winners Kevin Krawietz and Andreas Mies, plus Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos at the 02 Arena in London.
