Pella furious over handling of Paire Covid-19 case in US Open

NEW YORK: Argentina’s Guido Pella lashed out at US tennis chiefs on Tuesday, accusing them of operating a doublestandard over the handling of French player Benoit Paire’s positive Covid-19 case.

Pella and Bolivia’s Hugo Dellien were excluded from last week’s ATP Western & Southern Open ahead of the US Open after their trainer contracted the coronavirus. Pella and Dellien did not contract the disease.

However Pella contrasted the handling of his case with the way players who came in contact with Paire were dealt with earlier this week.

Although Paire was excluded, several players who were believed to have come into contact with him were allowed to remain in the US Open draw under enhanced safety protocols.

“I want to know ... why they did that to us and not the same with the French guys,” Pella said Tuesday after his 26, 6-0, 3-6, 3-6 first round loss to Jeffrey Wolf at Flushing Meadows.

“I just want to know why they did that to us and they didn’t give us any information.

“I am mad at them because of that, because they change the rules when Benoit tested positive. So I want to know why.

“I just want some answers because anyone in my situation would like the same thing. It’s been 15 or 16 days and I still didn’t get any answer.”

Pella said he and Dellien were kept isolated in the build-up to the US Open, with limited opportunities to train and only with access to practice on a court which he described as “horrible.” — AFP