"Fake Bubble": Strong headwinds put organizers of the US Open under pressure
The mood in the high-security zone of New York is still tense. Benoit Paire , who tested positive for Corona, attacks the organizers, and Alexander Zverev is also causing a stir .
by SID / Red.
last edit:
Sep 01, 2020, 11:38 am
Benoit Paire contemptuously christened the high-security zone of New York "Fake Bubble", his compatriots complained about the agony of the quarantine and Alexander Zverev caused great excitement with supposed insider information: At the 140th edition of the US Open there was a crunch in all corners and ends. After Paire's corona infection, the organizers fail to smooth things over and focus on the sport.
Zverev contributed to the unrest with statements that last year's finalist Daniil Medvedev (Russia) was also affected by isolation measures. "I know that Medvedev is one of them," said the man from Hamburg after the 7: 6 (7: 2), 5: 7, 6: 3, 7: 5 against Kevin Anderson (South Africa): "I'm pretty good with him friends, we've been together with the Russian troops sometimes. And Daniil is not allowed out of the room now. " However, Medvedev's coach Gilles Cervara told the New York Times shortly afterwards that his protégé was "not at all" affected by Pairs' positive test.
Meanwhile, Paire exchanged blows with the organizing US tennis association USTA on the first day of the Grand Slam event. "I hesitate to tell what really happens in this false bubble," wrote the 31-year-old on Instagram in a first, cryptic reaction to the devastating news for him. This was followed by a counterattack by the USTA, which indicated that Paire was too lax with the hygiene measures.
Zverev: "US Open didn't do the best job"
But the organizers are repeatedly put on the defensive. From Paire, from superstar Novak Djokovic and Zverev, who also complain about too little communication with the players. "The US Open did not do the best job of informing us," said Zverev at Eurosport: "We learned the whole situation with Benoit Paire through the media, like everyone else. As players, we also have to know who with whom was together. "
Paire had tested positive the day before the start of the US Open and was then excluded from the tournament. It is not publicly known how many people were in close contact with him and now also have to comply with significantly more stringent requirements. We are talking about seven professionals who had to confirm in writing that they are now being tested daily and, apart from their matches, actually only stay in their hotel room. According to Pairs compatriot Kristina Mladenovic, this is quite stressful.
Mladenovic: "bubble in the bubble"
"Basically, I'm in a new bubble," said Mladenovic, speaking of very difficult days: "I can't do a lot that makes it very difficult for me to be mentally fresh and ready for the competition. A" Horror scenario "is this idea also for Germany's number two Jan-Lennard Struff. However, the Warsteiner also said that the risk was known with the departure for New York.
Nevertheless, life in the bubble remains a, cautiously worded, great challenge for everyone involved.
Tennis is also still played: On Tuesday, Dominic Thiem, among others, will intervene in the action ( from 6.30 p.m. in the live ticker ).