Benoit Paire tests positive for COVID-19

Frenchman Benoit Paire's preparations for next month's Australian Open have been dealt a body blow after he revealed he has again tested positive for COVID-19. The 32-year-old, a former top-20 player, was forced to pull out of the 2020 US Open after testing positive. The following month he returned another positive test when he arrived in Germany to play the Hamburg Open.

He vented his frustration on social media writing:

"Hello, my name is Benoit Paire and for the 250th time, I am positive for COVID. Last year was tough, and this year start exactly the same way!!"

Last month Paire, who is vaccinated, voiced his support for Australian Open organisers' mandate for all competing players and participants to be vaccinated or have a medical exemption granted by an independent panel of experts. The 2022 Australian Open starts on January 17.