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French Open chaos as two players test positive for Covid-19

Sam Goodwin
·Sports Editor
·2-min read
A French Open tennis ball, pictured here at Roland Garros.
The French Open has been rocked by two positive virus cases. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

The French Open has been rocked by two positive Covid-19 cases, with officials announcing a men's doubles pairing have withdrawn from the tournament.

The French tennis federation announced on Wednesday night that these were the first two positives from the 2,446 coronavirus tests that have been administered on players and their entourages since the start of qualifying rounds on May 24.

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"The Roland-Garros tournament organisers confirm that two players from the men's doubles draw, on the same team, have tested positive for COVID-19," a statement read.

"In line with the tournament's public health and safety protocol, the pair have been removed from the draw, which commenced yesterday, and the two players placed in quarantine.

"This is the first occurrence in which the tournament organisers must remove players, in accordance with their health protocol."

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Tournament organisers didn't name the players.

Spanish duo Feliciano Lopez and Jaume Munar were replaced in the draw and order of play by alternates, however it remains unclear whether or not they are the positive cases.

Croatian top seeds Mate Pavic and Nikola Mektic, who would have been strong favourites for the title, were also replaced in the original draw by Pablo Andujar and Pedro Martinez - who were due to face Lopez and Munar on Thursday.

The clay-court grand slam is already being played under strict Covid-19 restrictions, with limits on crowd numbers and social-distancing measures in place.

A government curfew of 9pm has resulted in spectators being asked to leave the grounds during the night sessions.

Mate Pavic and Nikola Mektic, pictured here at the Italian Open.
Mate Pavic and Nikola Mektic at the Italian Open. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

with AAP

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