After going back 4 months until September to escape the worst of the coronavirus, the French Open begins on Sunday, still suffering to loosen the clutches of the fatal pandemic.
As a result, Rafael Nadal’s bet for a 13th name in Paris and a 20 Slam record, and Novak Djokovic’s quest for a moment’s triumph in the French capital, to take him to 18 seniors, rival the fitness in the war for the public’s attention.
After betting optimistically to allow 20,000 enthusiasts to sneak into Roland Garros’ compact venue, that figure fell from 11,500 to 5,000 as Covid-19 infections increased.
On Sunday night, the French Tennis Federation said five players who had to compete in the men’s playoffs had been eliminated from their posts.
Two tested positive while three others had contacted a coach who had also tested positive.
One of five players the most sensitive former 30 of Bosnian Damir Dzumhur, who forced quarantine after his coach Petar Popovic tested positive.
“We’re sure it’s a false positive because my coach has anti-bodies,” Dzumhur wrote on Instagram.
“He was not allowed to take a test at the moment. I’m devastated. “
Man of the people: Rafael Nadal poses with children and women after winning the 2019 French Open Photo: AFP / Philippe LOPEZ
Others have been named in the Spanish media as Ernesto Escobedo of the United States, Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan, Bernabe Zapata Miralles of Spain and Pedja Krstin of Serbia.
Popovic told L’Equipe that it is a “scandal” and that if “Nadal had been in our place, he would have been entitled to a moment or 3rd test. “
Between Thursday and Sunday, around 900 Covid-19s were held.
Some had no doubts about their rigour.
“The French Open doesn’t play any games with this Covid test,” American Sachia Vickery tweeted. “I felt this in my thoughts!”
To aggravate disruptions with the event, he later revealed Monday that a player, who was ready to qualify, also tested positive and pulled.
Fears about the spread of the virus had already led protective champion and world number one Ashleigh Barty to skip the tournament.
The Australian also decided not to participate in the recent US Open, as did Nadal and 2018 Roland Garros champion Simona Halep.
At Roland Garros, and your entourage will be limited to two bioinsurance hotels.
Cover! The new ceiling of the Philippe Chatrier Photo court: AFP / FRANCK FIFE
On The Red Clay itself in Paris, where he has lost twice in his career, Nadal will be looking for a 13th place in what will be his fifth tournament in 2020.
The 34-year-old arrives a little poorly cooked with a quarter-final outing in Rome week, leading to the hypothesis that a dethronement is imminent.
However, the Spaniard knows that when he lost at the same level in the Italian capital in 2017, he temporarily swept a tenth Roland Garros wasting a set.
“It’s an absolutely special and unpredictable year,” said Nadal, whose appearance in Rome is the first on the tour since February.
Djokovic, meanwhile, remains Nadal’s biggest threat, newly crowned US Open champion Dominic Thiem, has complained that he has finished with the Spaniard in Paris in the past two years.
Having been excluded from the US Open, Djokovic recovered in Rome with a final victory over Nadal’s conqueror Diego Schwartzman, giving the world number one a record 36 Masters crown.
Djokovic now has four trophies at times in 2020 with a 31-1 win-loss record.
The victory in Rome came the day he achieved his 287th week as world number one, beating Pete Sampras on the all-time list and with Roger Federer 310 ahead of him.
There is no Federer in Paris this year, as the Swiss continues to readjust after knee surgery forced him to cancel his 2020 season.
Naomi Osaka, the winner of the US Open, has reached the 3rd circular in the French capital, which is recovering from a thigh injury.
Serena Williams is expected to play as the 38-year-old continues her quest for a major hard-to-reach.
However, the 2002, 2013 and 2015 Roland Garros champion hinted that she was unsure after organizers insisted that all players remain in tournament hotels.
Williams says he prefers to use his Paris.
Meanwhile, Roland Garros will throw its new retractable roof into the centerpiece of the Philippe Chatrier court.
The tenuous Gentile – a real challenge with the occasion ending this year on 11 October – will at least be offset by 4 illuminated short films.