Konta keeps eye on ball as US Open hit by Covid

TENNIS: Andy Murray ‘pumped’ to be playing without concerns over fitness

British No 1 Johanna Konta insists her outlook is not affected by a player having to withdraw from the US Open due to a positive coronavirus test.

Meanwhile Andy Murray, who is due to play Yoshihito Nishioka tomorrow, is “pumped” to be playing his first Grand Slam in more than three years where he will not be worried about his fitness.

Frenchman Benoit Paire is widely reported to be the individual who has the virus, though he has shown no symptoms, and he must now isolate for 10 days.

Paire, who was seeded 17th in the men’s singles draw, has been in New York for the best part of two weeks and had two negative tests when he first arrived, meaning he has contracted the virus while in the bio-secure bubble.

Konta admits the positive test is “worrisome” but is going about her business in the same manner ahead of her first-round encounter with compatriot Heather Watson tomorrow.

“The issue we have is that it’s not a full bubble and there are still some people who are working for the tournament, who are coming in and out,” she said.

“It doesn’t really change what I am doing on a day-to-day basis. Myself and the rest of the team are doing the best that we can in terms of keeping distance and trying to get on with our day-to-day things,” she said.

Paire was due to play Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak tomorrow, but is replaced by Marcel Granollers in the draw.

The Frenchman has been in the biosecure bubble in New York for a couple of weeks and took part in the Western & Southern Open at the same Flushing Meadows site last week. However, he retired during his first-round match against Borna Coric after feeling unwell, trailing 6-0 1-0.

A USTA statement said: “A player has tested positive for Covid-19 at the US Open and has been withdrawn from the tournament. The player is asymptomatic.

“The USTA, together with its medical advisors and infectious disease specialist from the Mount Sinai Health System, confirmed a positive test result for a player.

“In accordance with New York State Department of Health requirements, and in alignment with CDC guidelines and the tournament health and safety protocols, the player has been advised that they must isolate for at least 10 days.

“In addition, contact tracing has been initiated to determine if anyone must quarantine for 14 days.”

Former world No 1 Andy Murray is preparing for his first major tournament since he had surgery to insert a metal hip in January 2019. Murray’s injury problems started at Wimbledon in 2017 before returns to the 2018 US Open and 2019 Australian Open where he was barely able to move.

His operation has allowed him a second chance and he is relishing the chance just to concentrate on his game.

“I’m pumped. It’s obviously slightly strange circumstances this year with no fans and stuff here. That’s one of the things I enjoy about competing. That’s not just here, but I guess all of the tournaments,” Murray said.

“It’s been a long kind of journey to kind of get back to this point. Actually I’m going to compete at a Slam in a few days’ time where I’m not worried about how I’m going to be, how my hip’s going to feel, things like that.

“The last time that would have been was in the 2017 French Open. It’s a long time ago.

“I know I’ve played a couple of Slams since then, but that wasn’t really me on the court. Whereas now I’m not as quick probably as I was before, but I’m able to go out there and compete and focus on the tennis, hopefully be able to last a five-set match without my performance seriously deteriorating as it goes on.

“It’s been tough to get to this point, a lot of hard work, lots of ups and downs. But I made it back. It would be nice to go out there and get a win on Tuesday.”