Tennis has officially returned with the WTA Palermo Ladies Open this week, but the security protocols have already been questioned.
An unnamed player has already been forced to retire after testing positive and the “bubble” that WTA will attempt to support in each tournament has already been threatened.
Petra Martic “is not at all confident” that players will adhere to the COVID-19 protocols.
“We all depend on each other and I don’t want to pay for someone else’s mistake, and I think it’s right; those who don’t follow the rules should be punished accordingly, “said Martic, according to The National.
Questions about player safety will only increase at larger events, such as the US Open, with both male and female competitors. The Palermo camp is made up of almost all Europeans and they have been recommended to stay in their hotel rooms when they are not competing.
“It is an absolute scandal that the players are in the same hotel as the tourists in Palermo,” veteran male player Richard Gasquet told Le Equipe. “I don’t know how the WTA can accept it. If you organize a tournament, it is because the hotel is 100% reserved for players and staff. If you can’t, cancel it. “
It certainly seems that “recommended” doesn’t have much power.
“I have the feeling that in New York it will be a real bubble. Here [in Palermo] they talk about the fact that we are in a bubble but it is not at all, “Donna Vekic told the newspaper.” I do not want to pretend to be locked in the room all day when I am not. I went to dinner in the city. Surely we are careful and not we’re close to people, but I’m not stuck in the room and 90 percent of the players aren’t.
“I hope there are fines in New York and if everyone respects it and it makes sense, then I agree, but if the rules contradict each other, then it doesn’t make sense.”
USTA has argued that the US Open – which is expected to begin in late August – will take place. However, Maria Sakkari complained of an apparent lack of communication from the USTA. Western & Southern Open have been moved from Cincinnati to Flushing Meadows to be played before the US Open and will begin on August 20.
“The fact that the US Open hasn’t made a decision yet is, I’m sorry to say, pissed off every single player, because it’s 20 days from the start of Cincinnati,” said Sakkari.
Mercurial Nick Kyrgios has already retired from the US Open.
“Let’s take a breath here and remember what’s important, which is health and safety as a community,” Kyrgios said in a statement. “We are able to rebuild our sport and economy, but we can never recover lost lives.”
Kyrgios joins his Australian colleague and female player no. 1, Ash Barty, in withdrawing from the New York event.
Kyrgios chastised some of his competitors during the pandemic, in particular Novak Djokovic, who organized an exhibition tournament, the Adria Tour, in Croatia and Serbia. Both Djokovic and Grigor Dimitrov, who also participated in the tournament, contracted the virus after the tournament. Alexander Zverev, who participated in the tournament, was filmed dancing and celebrating in a bar a few days after the couple proved positive.
“But tennis players, you have to act in mutual interest and work together,” said Kyrgios. “You can’t dance on the tables, grab money around Europe or try a quick spin by hosting the next exhibition. It is so selfish. Think about others for once. Here’s what this virus is about. It doesn’t matter about your world rankings or how much money you have. Act responsibly.
“To those players who have observed the rules and acted selflessly, I wish you luck. Play at your own risk and I have no problem. “
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