Individual tests positive for coronavirus at US Open bubble

Non-player said to be asymptomatic, contact tracing initiated

A non-player has tested positive for Covid-19 at the US Open bubble. Image for representation. AFP

An individual has tested positive for Covid-19 within the controlled environment that is scheduled to host this year's US Open in New York, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) said on Tuesday.

The non-player is asymptomatic and has been advised that they must isolate for at least 10 days, while contact tracing has been initiated to determine if anyone needs to go into quarantine, the USTA said in the statement.

According to the USTA, it was the only positive result from the 1,400 tests administered for Tier 1 individuals during testing, which began last Thursday.

Due to the pandemic the Western & Southern Open, typically held in Ohio, is being played at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre this year as a lead-up to the US Open, which is scheduled to start on August 31.

Those competing will be tested before traveling to the US and one or two times per week at both events, along with daily temperature checks.

A number of top players have already withdrawn from the major in New York because of the coronavirus.

On Monday, world No 2 Simona Halep of Romania said she will not travel to New York to play in the US Open due to Covid-19 concerns, leaving the women's draw without six of the world's top-10 players.

Halep joined world No 1 Ashleigh Barty, defending champion Bianca Andreescu, Elina Svitolina, Kiki Bertens and Belinda Bencic in skipping the event.

World No 2 and defending men's champion Rafa Nadal decided to skip the tournament while five-time winner Roger Federer is taking the rest of the year off to recover from knee surgery. Kei Nishikori of Japan said on Sunday he had tested positive for Covid-19.