It is reported that French Benoit Paire is the individual with the virus, has shown no symptoms and will now have to isolate itself for 10 days.
Pair, who was ranked 17th in the men’s singles draw, has been in New York for nearly two weeks and had two negative tests upon arrival, meaning they contracted the virus while in the biosecurity bubble.
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 30, 2020
Konta admits the positive test is “worrisome” but is going about her business in the same manner ahead of her first-round encounter with compatriot Heather Watson on Tuesday.
“I mean I just found out about five minutes ago,” she said. “Obviously it’s like, ‘Oh wow, really?’.
“The issue we have is that it’s not a full bubble and there are still some people who are working for the tournament, who are coming in and out. So, it’s as safe as we can get in terms of how many people are here to run this operation.
“But it was always going to take us by surprise and be a bit shocking and worrisome if a player tested positive. Obviously we have had a few.
— paire benoit (@benoitpaire) August 18, 2020
“It’s definitely different when someone tests positive when they arrive or when they have been here, had negative tests and then test positive.
“It doesn’t really change what I am doing on a day-to-day basis. Myself and the rest of the team are doing the best that we can in terms of keeping distance and trying to get on with our day-to-day things.”
Paire was due to play Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak on Tuesday, but is replaced by Marcel Granollers in the draw.
The Frenchman has been in the bio-secure bubble in New York for a couple of weeks and took part in the Western & Southern Open at the same Flushing Meadows site last week.
However, he retired during his first-round match against Borna Coric after feeling unwell, trailing 6-0 1-0.
Benoit Paire had to withdraw from his opening round match at the Western & Southern Open after feeling unwell (Victoria Jones/PA)
A USTA statement said: “A player has tested positive for COVID-19 at the US Open and has been withdrawn from the tournament. The player is asymptomatic.
“The USTA, together with its medical advisors and infectious disease specialist from the Mount Sinai Health System, confirmed a positive test result for a player.
“In accordance with New York State Department of Health requirements, and in alignment with CDC guidelines and the tournament health and safety protocols, the player has been advised that they must isolate for at least 10 days.
“In addition, contact tracing has been initiated to determine if anyone must quarantine for 14 days.”