Bosnia’s top tennis player is reportedly in the process of launching an official complaint to the organisers of the French Open after being removed from the qualifying draw over the weekend.
Damir Dzumhur was told that he was no longer able to play in the tournament after his coach, Petar Popović, tested positive for COVID-19. However, the result was disputed because Popovic contracted the virus earlier this year and it is possible that it could have been false. Despite Dzumhur’s plea for a second test for clarification purposes, officials at Roland Garros declined to do so.
“He (my coach) tried to explain that people who have antibodies can have a false positive test, we unfortunately didn’t get a chance to do another test and we are sure that he would show that he is negative,” Dzumhur told Klix.ba on Monday.
“They were not very interested in that, they called me around 4 pm and told me that due to the close contact with him I do not have the right to play at Roland Garros this year.’
“It is one of the most important tournaments of the year for me and it hurts me the most that I don’t have a chance to play.”
Just over a day after the disqualification Dzumhur’s coach has undergone another test conducted by the Institute of public health in Vojvodina, Serbia where he has tested negative. Suggesting that Popovic did in fact have a false result. Klix has confirmed that the world No.114 has hired a lawyer with the goal of reaching a settlement with the Grand Slam. If they can’t reach an agreement it is possible that a lawsuit may occur.
“You should all know the real truth is that Damir Dzumhur was withdrawn from the tournament for no reason and we were only asking for a second test which would have shown it was a false positive,” Popovic wrote on Instagram.
The French Tennis Federation (FFT) will naturally argue against such action by stating that both Dzumhur and his mentor were aware of the rules beforehand. Although during an interview with L’Equipe two days ago Popovic said he didn’t know that he would be unable to prove a false positive with a second test. In his view a different approach would have been taken if it involved a high-profile player such as Rafael Nadal.
“Yes of course, but we did not know that we would not be entitled to a second test to prove a possible false positive. I find that quite inhuman,” he said.
“We felt so small and weak. I’m sure if it had happened to a bigger player he would have had the opportunity to prove that it’s not a fake. I think if Rafa was in our case, he would be entitled to a second or third test to verify. So we’re really disgusted with what’s happening to us.”
28-year-old Dzumhur would have been a top five seed in the qualifying draw at Roland Garros. If he successfully qualified he would have earned at least €60,000 in prize money.
The FFT has confirmed that six players, five male and one female, have so far been removed from the draw due to either testing positive for COVID-19 or being a close contact with somebody who has.
