Non-player is only positive in US Open bubble so far

One non-player has tested positive for coronavirus in the Western & Southern Open and US Open biosecure bubble.

A controlled environment has been created at Flushing Meadows in New York, which will host both tournaments, and 1,400 tests were carried out.

There was only one positive result – a non-player who is asymptomatic who must isolate for ten days.

The Western & Southern Open–movedfromcincinnati – begins on Saturday while the US Open will start on 31 August.

A United States Tennis Association (USTA) statement read: “An individual (non-player) has tested positive for Covid-19 within the Western & Southern and US Open controlled environment. The individual is asymptomatic.

“The USTA, together with its medical advisers and infectious disease specialists, confirmed a positive test result for an individual. The individual has been advised that they must isolate for at least ten days.

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

Players, guests, ATP/ WTA staff and officials will stay in two hotels in Long Island, will not be allowed to travel to Manhattan and must wear masks and practise social distancing on site. Any player who tests positive during either tournament will be forced to withdraw.

A raft of top names have already pulled out of the US Open, with Rafael Nadal, Simona Halep, Ashleigh Barty and Nick Kyrgios among those opting not to travel.

World No 1 Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams and Andy Murray are committed to playing, though, and USTA chief executive Mike Dowse says the line-up has exceeded expectations.

“As far as individual players, we’ll respect their decisions at all times. It’s up to each individual player to make that decision,” he said. “As far as our field, in context of the times and how different the world is, I couldn’t be happier. It has exceeded our expectations.”