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A Bosnian competitor at this year’s French Open has threatened to sue the organizers of the primary clay-court tournament after their forced retirement so it claims to be a “false positive Covid test. “The reaction occurs when Roland Garros bosses are drastically preparing for capacity for 1,000 enthusiasts a day.
Having gone from 4 months to September to the worst of the Covid pandemic, the French Open at Roland Garros faces a possible test of a disgruntled Bosnian competitor and an additional tightening of its fitness protection rules.
The French Open is preparing Thursday to reduce its capacity to a minimum of 1,000 people a day after French Health Minister Olivier Véran announced new measures against the fatal pandemic. French tennis officials had already reduced the number. maximum of enthusiasts to 5,000 ten days. ago, compared to 11,500 established in the summer. Before Covid, the Roland Garros venue can accommodate up to 50,000 enthusiasts per day.
“To date, we have no confirmation about the organization of the tournament,” said a spokesman for the French Tennis Federation.
The new restriction announced as strict fitness protocols stood out after Bosnian player Damir Dzumhur threatened to bring legal action against tournament organizers after what he said was a “false positive” Covid-19 test.
Dzumhur, a sensibest former 30 player now ranked 114th, was forced to retire after his coach Petar Popovic, with whom he shared a hotel room, tested positive.
“We’re sure it’s a false positive because my coach has anti-bodies,” Dzumhur wrote on Instagram. “It didn’t allow him to take a test for a moment. I’m devastated.
Back in Serbia, Popovic passed two tests of Covid, one on the nose and one on the throat, which were negative. The coach told French newspaper L’Equipe that it was a “scandal” and that if “Nadal had been in our place, he would have been entitled to a moment or a third test. “An attorney is already investigating the case, according to L’Equipe.
Strict rules
Strict physical condition is being implemented to minimize the threat of coronavirus infection at Roland Garros, tournament organizers said.
All competition is reviewed upon arrival. A moment check is performed 72 hours later, then another every five days depending on a player’s progress in the tournament. Trainers must also wear face mask training, according to Sven Groeneveld, who accompanies Japanese competitor Taro Daniel.
Players and their entourage remain in two express hotels and are not allowed to enter and leave the tournament venue and their accommodation.
Those who oversee fitness regulations act with hesitation.
“On Sunday, a competitor was caught in a traffic jam 500 yards from his hotel due to the Tour de France. He called to see if he could get out of the car and walk back to his hotel. We refused,” Dr. Bernard. Montalvan said, in Covid protocol rate at Roland Garros, told AFP news agency.
‘Powerless’ competitors
On Sunday night, the French Tennis Federation said five players who were to compete in the men’s playoffs had been denied a place; two tested positive, while three others had been in contact with a coach who had also tested positive. to be included in the qualifying phase had been withdrawn after a positive Covid-19 test.
While the Bosnian team was ready for testing, the tournament’s fitness manager said the entire competition had signed a contract describing the gambling situations and consequences of a coronavirus test.
“For us, only nasal tests matter (. . . ) If a coach who has tested positive sleeps in the same room as his player, then the player will be at risk. That’s why we beg coaches and players not to share the same room. “, explains Dr. Bernard Montalvan.
Concerns were expressed about strict control of gambling situations, and some competitors stated that protective measures had a negative effect on athletes’ intellectual fitness.
“I’ve heard of players trapped in their rooms for 30 hours. We feel powerless in this situation,” French tennis player Alyzé Cornet told BFM television. “It’s painful (. . . ) Players have to deal with anxiety. “
This article has been translated from French to French.