Wimbledon’s Covid-19 protocols are beneath overview after Matteo Berrettini was compelled to withdraw from the championships on the morning of his first-round match following a optimistic check for Covid-19.
The Italian was the second participant within the males’s draw to drag out in lower than 24 hours after a optimistic check and the withdrawals prompted the ladies’s French No 1, Alizé Cornet, to assert the virus was widespread within the locker room at Roland Garros, with gamers sustaining a code of silence.
Berrettini, the No 8 seed, was one of many greatest contenders for the title after reaching the ultimate final 12 months. After being out for practically three months following surgical procedure on his finger, the Italian returned at first of the grass season and instantly gained 9 matches in a row, with titles in Stuttgart and Queen’s Club.
Wimbledon’s overview comes after the No 14 seed, Marin Cilic, one other former finalist and a semi-finalist on the French Open this month, additionally withdrew on Monday having examined optimistic for Covid-19, stoking fears of an outbreak among the many gamers. Whereas Cilic educated with the lads’s defending champion, Novak Djokovic, within the days earlier than the event, Berrettini educated with the No 2 seed, Rafael Nadal.
Wimbledon was carried out final 12 months beneath vital Covid protocols, however this 12 months the championships have returned to regular situations. There aren’t any preventative protocols for gamers, with the All England Membership following UK authorities steerage.
After the current outbreak the All England Membership will overview its present measureson Tuesday. “As a serious occasion we’ve got and proceed to work together with the UK Public Well being Safety Company and our native authority,” a spokesperson for the All England Membership mentioned on Tuesday.
“Now we have maintained enhanced cleansing and hand sanitising operations, and provide full medical assist for anybody feeling unwell. We’re following UK steerage round evaluation and isolation of any potential infectious illness. Our participant medical workforce additionally proceed to put on face masks for any session.”
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After her straight-sets win towards Yulia Putintseva on Tuesday, Cornet was requested about these current developments and she or he mentioned Covid was additionally current within the locker room on the French Open, referencing the withdrawal of Barbora Krejcikova after she examined optimistic. “At Roland Garros there was an epidemic of Covid-19 and no one talked about it. Within the locker room, everybody had it and we mentioned nothing,” mentioned Cornet.
Berrettini had been on account of play Cristian Garín within the opening spherical and he was anticipated to make one other deep run contemplating his kind and his consolation on the floor.
In a press release on Instagram, Berrettini conveyed his disappointment. “I’m heartbroken to announce that I have to withdraw from @wimbledon on account of a optimistic Covid-19 check outcome. I’ve had flu signs and been isolating the previous few days. Regardless of signs not being extreme, I made a decision it was vital to take one other check this morning to guard the well being and security of my fellow opponents and everybody else concerned within the event,” he wrote.
“I’ve no phrases to explain the intense upset I really feel. The dream is over for this 12 months, however I can be again stronger.”
