Kristina Mladenovic has said the days leading up to her first round match at the US Open has been a ‘nightmare’ after confirming she is one of the players who has had to sign a new COVID-19 protocol at the US Open.
The world No.44 is classed as one of the close contacts of Benoite Paire under the USTA’s tracing system for COVID-19. Paire tested positive for the virus on Sunday and is so far the only player to have done so within the New York bubble. Speaking to reporters after her first round win on Monday, Mladenovic confirmed that she had a practice session with her compatriot and played cards with him, as well as other players.
“It was very emotional, lots of things going on. I’m not sure what I’m allowed to say, and what I’m not,” the 27-year-old said following her 7-5, 6-2, win over Hailey Baptiste.
“We got some bad news a couple of days ago, and since then for me it was kind of a nightmare. I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to play here. I’ve been myself put out of the bubble, kind of a bubble in a bubble, so I’m just very grateful I can be on the court today.”
Tournament director Stacey Allester told The Tennis Channel that Mladenovic and other players will not be removed from the draws and the decision has been based on ‘medical science and all of those facts.’ She didn’t elaborate on the specifics involved. Just over a week ago two players were removed from the Western and Southern Open after their coach tested positive for the virus.
Whilst still allowed to compete, Mladenovic now finds herself facing new measures which she describes as ‘mentally tough.’ After signing the new protocol, she will be given restricted access to certain areas of the bubble. Furthermore, she must eat in her room and not use the lift at the hotel. Details of the protocol requirements were first disclosed by L’Equipe newspaper.
‘It’s really tough for me to accept that thing because it’s not like I’m any close entourage to him,” she said of Paire.
“I feel very sorry and bad for him for being (positive) so I try to keep positive. I’ve been tested twice since then and am negative, hopefully gonna stay like this.’
‘I’m allowed to play my match, literally allowed to do nothing else…I’m not allowed to do fitness, any public bubble thing. I’m not allowed to do anything anymore. I’m completely alone with my brother/coach. So it’s literally a bubble in a bubble.’ She added.
The USTA has not published a statement concerning the situation and there is no confirmation of who has signed the new COVID-19 protocols. Although French media have confirmed that Richard Gasquet, Grégoire Barrere, Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Adrian Mannarino were initially all told to stay in their rooms following Paire’s positive test.
Mladenovic will play Aliaksandra Sasnovich in the second round on Wednesday.
