After the Adria Tour debacle, the All-American Team Cup started with more shocking news for tennis.
One of the players, Frances Tiafoe tested positive for Coronavirus at the end of the first day of the exhibition event in Atlanta, Georgia.
The 22-year-old becomes the fifth tour player to contract the virus after being part of an exhibition event.
Earlier, after competing at Novak Djokovic’s charity event in Serbia and Croatia, the Adria Tour, Grigor Dimitrov, Borna Coric, Viktor Troicki and Djokovic tested positive for the virus.
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“Unfortunately, I tested positive late Friday for Covid-19 and have to withdraw from the All-American Team Cup special event in Atlanta this weekend,” Tiafoe tweeted. “ Over the past two months, I have been training in Florida and tested negative there as recently as a week ago.”
I am scheduled to have a second test early next week, but have already begun the quarantine protocol as advised by the medical staff here in Atlanta. While I’ve been so excited to get back out there, the health and safety of everyone continues to be a top priority.
— Frances Tiafoe (@FTiafoe) July 4, 2020
The world no 81 had taken a 15-minute medical timeout during his match against Sam Querry, but still managed to win it 6-4, 7-6(5).
The youngster has now been replaced with Christopher Eubanks for the remaining two days of the three-day event.
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“Frances Tiafoe has tested positive for the coronavirus,” read a statement by the tournament, which was played in front of 450 spectators on the first day.
“Like all the players, Tiafoe was tested prior to or upon arrival in Atlanta and has passed daily temperature tests. Following his match, he was showing symptoms and was retested and tested positive. Tiafoe has left the event site and will not participate in the remainder of the event. Upon learning this information, we immediately began deep cleaning and sanitizing the event site, and enacted protocols in place for contact tracing and alerting individuals who may have been exposed. The health and safety of our event participants, staff and attendees are a top priority, and we will continue to diligently enforce all guidelines from local health officials. Christopher Eubanks will replace Tiafoe for the remainder of the event.”
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Before the tournament, world no 21 John Isner had defended it, saying all the social distancing protocols were being met and that he was trying to play and promote the game he loves.
