French Open: false-positive COVID-19 test? Fernando Verdasco "outraged" after disqualification
Fernando Verdasco announced on social media that he had been disqualified from the French Open because of a positive COVID-19 test. According to the descriptions of the Spaniard, it can be doubted whether this result is really valid.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit:
Sep 25, 2020, 10:09 pm
"This year I will not be able to compete in Roland Garros," shouted Fernando Verdasco on Twitter on Friday evening. He would have tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday after arriving in Paris. His team and his family, however, would all have received a negative test result.
COVID infection in August
Why Verdasco is so unhappy with the disqualification becomes clear in the next few lines. He had already had a COVID-19 infection in August, which he survived asymptomatically. After this, he was tested negative for the corona virus several times, including at the ATP events in Rome and Hamburg.
"I explained my past to them and asked if they could do another test," said Verdasco. A request that fell deaf ears from the organizers. "Although there were still enough days before the draw, they forbade me to do a second test. I was simply disqualified," said the Iberian.
According to his own statements, the Iberian decided to undergo two COVID tests in different institutes at his own expense. According to Verdasco, both tests produced a negative result. "In my opinion, it would be the least thing to give players the chance to take new tests to avoid unfair direct disqualifications," said Verdasco.
Verdasco: outrage and frustration
At the end of his message, the Spaniard finds quite clear words for how the organizers deal with his situation. "I would like to convey my total frustration and indignation to the organizers of Roland Garros for having denied my right to attend this important event without giving me the chance to take another test to show that the first could have been a mistake. "
The organizers of the French Open have not yet commented on the allegations.
rg2020