American tennis player Sam Querrey has been accused of fleeing Russia after testing positive for the coronavirus. Organizers of the St. Petersburg Open confirmed the news on Thursday, explaining that the 2017 Wimbledon finalist, who ranks 49th in the world, and his wife tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday, according to Associated Press.
They were placed in isolation at a hotel the day before the main draw play started, but doctors sent to examine the family on Tuesday discovered they had left.
"Sam Querrey, as the hotel’s security cameras identified, left the hotel together with his family at 5:45 am on October 13 without informing the reception service. As Querrey told an ATP [Association of Tennis Professionals] representative, he left Russia with his family on a private plane," the tournament said in a statement.
The ATP said it was "aware of an incident regarding a player’s serious breach of protocol relating to COVID-19 at this week’s St. Petersburg Open," but no names were disclosed.
"Adhering to health and safety protocols is critical to ensure events take place safely and within the guidelines established by local authorities," the statement continued. "Players and their support team members are reminded that breaches of protocol can jeopardize an event’s ability to operate and have repercussions on the rest of the Tour. In accordance with ATP’s Code of Conduct, we are taking this matter extremely seriously and an investigation is underway."
According to ATP’s code of conduct, players in breach of the health and safety protocols could be fined up to $100,000. They also face suspension of up to three years, reported The Guardian.
Zoe Papadakis ✉
Zoe Papadakis is a Newsmax writer based in South Africa with two decades of experience specializing in media and entertainment. She has been in the news industry as a reporter, writer and editor for newspapers, magazine and websites.
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