The US Open is to start from 31 August in the Billie Jean King Centre. The USTA is following strict measures to ensure the safety of everyone involved. They recently barred Argentine Guido Pella (world number 35), and Bolivian Hugo Dellien (number 94), from participating in the tournaments. Their physiotherapist was the only one who tested positive for COVID-19. However, some players, including Novak Djokovic, aren’t happy with this exclusion.
Novak Djokovic Is Making A Petition
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Djokovic is not in New York for another week. However, according to Marca, the number one player in the world is leading a protest against the expulsion of Pella and Dellien. He has been collecting signatures from players and officials since Wednesday. The agenda is to present a letter to the USTA authorities. The letter requests the re-entry of the two players in the Cincinnati Open as well as the US Open.
The players’ physiotherapist, Juan Manuel Galvin was the only COVID-19 positive among 1,400 people. The players did not have any symptoms. However, they are in a mandatory two-week quarantine per USTA safety protocols. Two alternative players already replaced the affected players at the US Open and at Cincinnati.
READ MORE – REPORTS: Unhappy Tennis Players Threaten to Withdraw From Cincinnati Open After Recent Disqualifications
The Cause of Petition
Novak Djokovic Being the president of ATP Players Council, Novak Djokovic would want to work in the players’ best interest. The protest to once again allow the two players to the Cincinnati Masters and US Open is because the players have been unlawfully disqualified.
The USTA guideline states that if someone is positive in the player’s team, the players will be quarantined if he/she shared the room with the positive. However, Galvan did not stay with the players.
“After initiating the internal contact tracing process, it was determined that two players have been in close and prolonged contact with this individual,” said Cincinnati organizers. “In consultation with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, those two players have been removed from the 2020 Western and Southern Open and are currently under quarantine.”
The tournament will be crowd less with all the necessary safety measures. With the Wimbledon canceled and the French Open indefinitely postponed, the US Open is the first Grand Slam to take place after the coronavirus pandemic.
