Hours before the start of the French Open qualifying event on Monday, five players were withdrawn after the results of two players and a coach returned positive for COVID-19, the tournament organisers said.
The qualifying round is set to begin on Monday and the main draw will start from September 27.
In a statement, the French Tennis Federation said that the players will not compete and will self-isolate the next seven days. The names of the players have not been revealed.
“The Roland Garros tournament directors can confirm that two players competing in the qualifying tournament have tested positive for COVID-19 and three others have confirmed close contact with a coach who has tested positive for COVID-19,” the FFT statement read.
“In line with tournament health protocols, the five players will not compete in the qualifying tournament and will self isolate for a period of seven days. In total, some 900 tests have been carried out since Sept. 17.”
The Roland-Garros tournament directors can confirm that 2 players competing in the qualifying tournament have tested positive for Covid 19 and three others have confirmed close contact with a coach who has tested positive for Covid 19. >> https://t.co/X3dn62VEv5 pic.twitter.com/4Ca6GevqNf
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) September 20, 2020
After being postponed from May due to the coronavirus pandemic, the French Open will now be held from September 27 to October 11.
The FTT has also said that it would allow 5,000 spectators per day as opposed to 11,500 that was announced earlier.
