Paire allowed to compete at the Hamburg European Open despite positive COVID-19 test

Benoit Paire has been allowed to play in Hamburg despite testing positive but his attendance at the French Open is in question.

Benoit Paire has been a player whose name has been in the news often lately related to Coronavirus in the tennis world. The Frenchman was barred from attending the US Open after he tested positive days before the event started. His next event was last week in Rome when he tested negative for the virus but tested positive once again before the Hamburg European Open. He was permitted to compete in Hamburg as the protocols in Germany state that a person who tested positive and quarantined is no longer contagious.

Today Paire played against Ruud but retired citing tiredness. Speaking on the whole matter he said:

"When I arrived, the test came back positive again. I can't take it anymore, I'm breaking. And then I'm told, in Germany, if you are positive and have already completed the quarantine [period], they no longer test the players because even if you catch it again, you are no longer contagious."

Read also

Prize money breakdown for Roland Garros 2020 with 38.000.000 Euro on offer

That left Paire worried ahead of the French Open where protocols state that if you test positive you are eliminated. Those protocols were deemed very harsh as Damir Dzumhur was barred from attending the event after his coach tested positive at the deadline testing. He tested negative one day later but the Bosnian was still barred from attending. Now Paire fears the same as a doctor told him there is a chance he will test positive again.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Unlock your ultimate tennis experience—subscribe today for exclusive access to top stories.

Subscribe