Kei Nishikori tests POSITIVE for coronavirus just two weeks before the start of the US Open as fears grow around the Grand Slam
- Kei Nishikori had been staying at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida
- He pulled out of a warm-up tournament before the US Open later this month
- Nishikori said that he had ‘very little symptoms’ and would go into self-isolation
- Rafael Nadal is one of a number of players to have pulled out of the Grand Slam
Japan’s Kei Nishikori said on Sunday he had tested positive for COVID-19 while in Florida – just two weeks ahead of the U.S. Open that begins in New York on August 31.
The 30-year-old former world number four has been staying at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, and pulled out of the upcoming Western & Southern Open, a warm-up tournament for many before the Grand Slam.
‘This morning while still in Florida, I got tested for COVID-19 and tested positive,’ Nishikori said in a statement.
Japan’s Kei Nishikori said on Sunday he had tested positive for COVID-19 while in Florida
Nishikori confirmed the news just two weeks ahead of the U.S. Open that begins in New York
‘I will have to pull out of the Cincinnati tournament at this time.
‘We were planning to fly to New York tomorrow but will obviously now stay in Florida.’
Nishikori added that he had ‘very little symptoms’ and would go into self-isolation.
A number of players have withdrawn from this year’s U.S. Open, including Rafael Nadal
A number of players have withdrawn from this year’s U.S. Open over fears of contracting the coronavirus that has infected more than 5.3 million people in the United States and killed nearly 170,000, according to a Reuters tally.
Defending champion Rafa Nadal and women’s world number one Ash Barty are among those who refused to travel.
Reigning women’s champion Bianca Andreescu has also pulled out, saying the pandemic had compromised her ability to reach her highest level of form.