The All-American Team Cup going ahead as per schedule despite Frances Tiafoe testing positive for Coronavirus on the opening day, on July 4, has raised plenty of questions.
Tiafoe, the captain of team Stars at the eight-player exhibition event, was feeling unwell during the match and took a 15-minute medical break during his 6-4, 7-6 win over Sam Querrey.
Probably explains why Tiafoe was struggling so much in the heat as he beat Querrey yesterday: “I haven’t been feeling the best the last couple of days.” pic.twitter.com/u2K1vFbjO8
— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) July 4, 2020
During the post-match interview, the 22-year-old said, “It was tough. I was playing well, but I hit a serious wall. I have been practicing in the heat, but haven’t felt the best the past couple of days. I honestly thought I was going to retire but I started to push for the fans.”
Feel better soon…👍🙏🏼 https://t.co/xfS2Kz7oHO
— Chris Evert (@ChrissieEvert) July 4, 2020
According to the tournament, Tiafoe had been tested for Covid-19 on his arrival. The All-American Team Cup had also put social distancing measures in place, but wearing masks were optional for fans attending the event.
It is the first tennis event, since resumption, in the USA to be played in front of spectators, and almost 450 fans attended on the opening day.
But the All-American Team Cup will continue, with local player Christopher Eubanks replacing Tiafoe in the team.
When both common sense and logic go out the window, Someone with some influence and authority needs to step up and say what’s going on just needs to stop.Sure everyone wants a pay day but this is poor leadership all round. “ safety first “ RIGHT!!! https://t.co/1YOjZmZcow
— Mahesh Bhupathi (@Maheshbhupathi) July 4, 2020
“When both common sense and logic go out the window,” doubles legend Mahesh Bhupathi tweeted on Saturday. “Someone with some influence and authority needs to step up and say what’s going on just needs to stop.Sure everyone wants a pay day but this is poor leadership all round. “ safety first “ RIGHT!!!”
Number of Coronavirus cases have been spiking in Georgia also, and the state recorded 2826 cases on July 4.
So Tiafoe tests positive to Covid19 in Atlanta and the tournament continues. Thoughts?
— ivo karlovic (@ivokarlovic) July 4, 2020
“So Tiafoe tests positive to Covid19 in Atlanta and the tournament continues. Thoughts?” tweeted Ivo Karolivic, the oldest player on the singles tour at 41.
ALSO READ: Isner slammed for ‘Coronabros’ statement
John Isner, captain of Team Stripes, had come out in defence of the tournament last week, saying it was being played in a safe and controlled atmosphere.
He called its critics ‘Coronabros’, drawing a lot of flak on social media.
American tennis player Sachia Vickery, was quick to remind Isner of the perils of an event like that after Tiafoe tested positive.
Now would be a great time to RIP this tweet for good… https://t.co/qMUfToCea4
— Sachia Vickery (@SachiaVick) July 4, 2020
Tennis with spectators in stands seemed like a foolhardy idea especially after the Adria Tour.
The tournament in the Balkans, organized by the Novak Djokovic Foundation, had turned into a Covid-19 cluster, after almost a dozen people associated with it, including the World No 1, had tested positive for the virus.
But the event came to a halt as soon as the Grigor Dimitrov announced he had tested positive and was eventually cancelled.
Former Indian pro, Somdev Devvarman also weighed in, sarcastically stating that tennis in America was ‘more important’.
Novak was wrong and his tournament needed to be shut down asap
But somehow tennis in America is more important. Cause it is.
Covid is under control there. Don't you read the news?Come on @ivokarlovic
This is all for the fans and you know it. And for the betterment of tennis https://t.co/Tg30mkew1a
— Somdev Devvarman (@SomdevD) July 5, 2020
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