Andrey Rublev has become the latest player to suffer a setback to their preparations for the 2022 season after testing positive for COVID-19.
In a statement published on social media the world No.5 said he is currently experiencing ‘minimal symptoms’ and is isolating in Barcelona where he is based. The positive result occurs a day before Rublev was set to fly to Australia ahead of the ATP Cup. He will now not be able to fly out to the country until he produces a negative test after completing his isolation period.
“I am currently in Barcelona and unfortunately tested positive for COVID-19. I have minimal symptoms. I am in isolation and following all the protocols under the supervision of doctors.” Rublev wrote on Twitter.
“As you know, I am fully vaccinated and was preparing for tournaments – ATP Cup and Australian Open,” he continued. “Now I have to recover and I will go to Melbourne only when it will be safe for everyone.”
The 24-year-old is the latest player to contract the virus after participating in the Mubadala World Tennis Championship which was held in Abu Dhabi last week. Emma Raducanu was forced to pull out of the event beforehand after catching COVID-19. Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal, Denis Shapovalov, Belinda Bencic and Ons Jabeur have also provided positive results. So has Nadal’s coach Carlos Moya.
“I am very upset and concerned about what is happening,” Rublev commented. “Take care of yourself and of the people around you. I will return to the court as soon as possible.”
There are now huge doubts over the prospect of Rublev being able to play in the ATP Cup which will begin on New Year’s Day. Russia has been drawn in the same group as Italy, Austria and Australia. According to the provisional schedule they are set to play their group matches on January 2nd, 4th and 6th.
Shamil Tarpischev, who is the president of the Russian Tennis Federation and coach of the men’s team, says he is keeping an optimistic outlook concerning the chances of Rublev playing in the team event.
“Rublev, I think, will have time to get better for the ATP Cup. He has a mild coronavirus, he has time. If he has time to pass a negative one, he will play. If not, then (Aslan) Karatsev will play,” Tarpischev told Championat.ru.
“There are no problems with this. The next highest rated player will just play, and this is Aslan.”
Rublev has won one ATP title this year, which was in Rotterdam. He also reached the final of two Masters 1000 tournaments in Monte Carlo and Cincinnati, as well as an ATP 500 event on the grass in Halle.
