"Serious rule violation" - Sam Querrey went into hiding after corona infection
Sam Querrey left the city against the rules after a positive corona test as part of the ATP 500 tournament in St. Petersburg. The American is now apparently in hiding in a "nearby European country".
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Oct 14, 2020, 11:05 pm
Escape by private jet, stay in an undefined place, in an undefined country. What reads like an agent thriller happened these days on the sidelines of the ATP 500 tournament in St. Petersburg. It is the story of Sam Querrey , including entourage, and his crazy departure from the Russian metropolis.
Corona infections are still part of everyday life in tennis - this became clear again at the event in St. Petersburg: Sam Querrey tested positive for COVID-19, then removed from the tableau according to the ATP protocol and sent to quarantine.
So far so good. Querrey, his wife and their son (both also tested positive) had to go into self-isolation for 14 days. According to information from New York Times journalist Ben Rothenberg, the family was ready to do so, but then the 2017 Wimbledon semi-finalist is said to have received a call from the Russian health authorities.
Departed from Russia by private jet
In this, Querrey was told that a doctor would carry out another examination and that he and his family could be taken to a hospital if symptoms were apparent. As a result, the 33-year-old, who, like his wife and child, complained of mild symptoms and therefore feared hospitalization, is said to have organized a private jet with which the family left Russia.
Contrary to what was initially read in some media reports, Querrey is now said to be not in Canada, but in a "nearby European country" from a Russian point of view. The world number 49th, who according to Rothenberg did not have to show a negative corona test when entering the country, is now with his family in an unknown accommodation. Querrey does not want to reveal the location, as the local authorities "should not be further involved".
Querrey could be banned for up to three years
In any case, the ATP is involved in the case, which has already published a statement on this incident: "The ATP has taken note of the serious violation of the rules related to COVID-19 at the St. Petersburg Open. and keeping safety logs is critical to ensuring that events can take place safely and within the guidelines set by local authorities.The players and their teams know that failure to follow the log can jeopardize the performance of an event and affect the rest of the tour. In accordance with the ATP's Code of Conduct, we take this matter very seriously - the investigations are ongoing. "
It is not yet known what exactly the consequences Querrey will face. According to the ATP Corona protocol, the 33-year-old could have a tour break of up to three years. The US-American is currently on the entry list of the ATP 1000 tournament in Paris-Bercy.