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Image: Keystone
The crisis at this year’s US Open in New York is coming to a head. After the disqualification of the Mladenovic / Babos doubles, the organizers faced criticism.
Because Adrian Mannarino has close contact with Benoit Paire, who tested positive, before the tournament, there is a nasty surprise for the French on Friday before their third round match against Alexander Zverev. “Only a few hours before the scheduled start of the game I learned that my team and I had to stay in our rooms until the rest of the quarantine,” the astonished Mannarino later described at the press conference. You must now stay in your hotel room until Friday.
After all, for the match against Zverev (loss in four sets) Mannarino is left without another race. A privilege that Kristina Mladenovic was denied a day later. Already eliminated in singles, the Frenchwoman and Timea Babos are number 1 in the doubles competition, until she is eliminated from the draw on Saturday.
The reason for this is explained in a letter from the organizers: “All persons who have had prolonged close contact with the infected player will be quarantined in their rooms for the remainder of their quarantine period.”
Inconsistencies lead to criticism
Those directly affected are not even allowed to leave their room to train. That was decided by the Nassau County Health Department, where most of the players live. Solo: Why is Mannarino still allowed to compete the day before after a lot of back and forth, but not Mladenovic, who tested negative multiple times? Inconsistencies cause a stir.
Tennis journalist Christopher Clarey writes on Twitter: “Simply unfair to let a player play yesterday (Mannarino) and not today’s player (Mladenovic). The rules must be consistent, not invent them over time. ”
On “Eurosport”, expert Boris Becker also expresses his lack of understanding: “It doesn’t make any sense. It’s always bad when politics interferes with sport. In general, the same rights for all, but here different measures were taken, that is not right and unfair for the girl, ”says Becker. The French sports newspaper “L’Équipe” also does not beat around the bush in words and headlines: “The 2020 US Open – an amateur tournament.”
“It’s brutal that they kick you out like this”
Mladenovic also receives condolences from his compatriot Alize Cornet. Wow, I was surprised. I wrote directly to find out what was going on. I think she’s a little overwhelmed, “Cornet said after her win over Madison Keys at the press conference, adding,” It’s very brutal to be kicked out like this. I’m not sure what to make of this. The truth is that I am very sad for her ”.
Mladenovic has to stay in her room until next Friday, the US Open is history for her. How it will continue for the rest of those affected in Flushing Meadows is questionable. “There were some other players in contact with Benoit Paire. Also some gentlemen who are still in competition. I don’t know how this journey is going to continue, ”doubts Boris Becker, for example.
Last year’s finalist Daniil Medvedev is one of those approached. For Russians there are currently no additional restrictions, apart from the generally applicable Corona security measures, of course. He also wished Mladenovic: “The New York Department of Health may be of the opinion that it is not safe for everyone. If you ask my opinion, I think you should play. But my opinion doesn’t mean anything here, ”says Medvedev with a smile. It remains to be seen if that will happen before their round of 16 match on Monday.
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