WASHINGTON, July 4, 2020 (by Michael Dickens)
Frances Tiafoe of the U.S. has tested positive for COVID-19. The 22-year-old American, who was participating in this weekend’s DraftKings All-American Team Cup near Atlanta, Georgia, defeated Sam Querrey, 6-4, 7-6 (5), in his first match of the three-day exhibition event Friday afternoon.
During Tiafoe’s post-match interview with Tennis Channel, he was asked about the difficulty of playing in the heat in which at times he struggled against Querrey. “I haven’t been feeling the best the last couple of days,” he said.
“I honestly thought I was going to retire but I tried to push for the fans.” – @FTiafoe #TennisGoesFourth pic.twitter.com/M7WZ98qeFQ
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) July 3, 2020
The 81st-ranked Tiafoe, who had tested negative as recently as a week ago while training in Florida and had passed daily temperature tests since arriving in Georgia, began showing symptoms late Friday and was retested. This time, he tested positive.
Saturday morning, Tiafoe wrote on Twitter:
“Unfortunately, I tested positive late Friday for Covid-19 and have to withdraw from the All-American Team Cup special event in Atlanta this weekend. Over the past two months, I have been training in Florida and tested negative there as recently as a week ago.
“I am scheduled to have a second test early next week, but have already begun the quarantine protocol as advised by the medical staff here in Atlanta. While I’ve been so excited to get back out there, the health and safety of everyone continues to be a top priority.”
Unfortunately, I tested positive late Friday for Covid-19 and have to withdraw from the All-American Team Cup special event in Atlanta this weekend. Over the past two months, I have been training in Florida and tested negative there as recently as a week ago pic.twitter.com/DeqR3eBxQo
— Frances Tiafoe (@FTiafoe) July 4, 2020
A statement from the DraftKings All-American Team Cup was released Saturday morning:
“Frances Tiafoe has tested positive for the coronavirus. Like all the players, Tiafoe was tested prior to or upon arrival in Atlanta and has passed daily temperature tests. Following his match, he was showing symptoms and was retested and tested positive. Tiafoe has left the event site and will not participate in the remainder of the event. Upon learning this information, we immediately began deep cleaning and sanitizing the event site, and enacted protocols in place for contact tracing and alerting individuals who may have been exposed. The health and safety of our event participants, staff and attendees are a top priority, and we will continue to diligently enforce all guidelines from local health officials. Christopher Eubanks will replace Tiafoe for the remainder of the event.”
No. 238 Christopher Eubanks will replace Tiafoe for the remainder of the three-day exhibition team event, which is being televised by Tennis Channel.
