The French Open organisers, the French Tennis Federation (FFT), is contemplating to allow 5,000 spectators for the tournament scheduled to start at Roland Garros in Paris on September 27.
A week ahead of the start date, the tournament is struck with the COVID-19 pandemic threat. Five players are reported to have opted out of the qualifiers after two participants and a coach were reported positive for the novel coronavirus infection.
The positive reports came on the eve of the qualifiers’ first round, starting later today (Monday).
“The Roland Garros tournament directors can confirm that two players competing in the qualifying tournament have tested positive for Covid-19 and three others have confirmed close contact with a coach who has tested positive for Covid-19,” the French Tennis Federation has confirmed in a statement.
“In line with tournament health protocols, the five players will not compete in the qualifying tournament and will self isolate for a period of seven days. In total, some 900 tests have been carried out since Sept. 17.”
Damir Dzumhur opted out after his coach Petar Popovi was found infected with the virus. Organisers did not disclose the identity of the players who have been reported positive.
The French Open has been rescheduled from September 27 to October 11. The Grand Slam was deferred
The French Open will be held from Sept. 27-Oct.
Traditionally the second Grand Slam on the year, the French Open was deferred from the routing May-June schedule following the major outburst of the COVID-19 pandemic in France.
Among the worst-hit nations by the novel coronavirus, France to date has reported 4.52 lakh COVID-19 positive cases and over 31,000 deaths.