US Open participants struck by a mysterious epidemic. What’s going on in the States?

The US Open unexpectedly became an incredible test for tennis players, not only on the court, but also outside it. Several star players at once publicly complained about serious health problems, and someone even became ill during the match.

For most of them, it turned into a crash.

“I watch the US Open from home”

Third-round games are in full swing at the US Open, but the first signs of impending problems appeared during qualifying. One of the favorites to get into the main draw Tennis Sandgren finished the fight in the second round. On August 30, the athlete admitted that he fell ill the day after returning from the tournament.

I got sick the day I got home. Definitely, a virus is walking around, ”the athlete wrote on social networks.

On the same day, the legendary tennis player John McEnroe, who was going to work as a television expert at the US Open, spoke about health problems.

“Unfortunately, after feeling a little unwell, my COVID test came back positive. I watch the US Open from home and can’t wait to get back to work as soon as possible,” ESPN quoted McEnroe as saying.

Tennis Sandgren / Photo: © Clive Brunskill / Staff / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru

“I felt bad during the game”

The disease also affected tennis players from the main draw. Even before the start of the first round, Emil Ruusuvuori refused to go to the match against Andrei Rublev. Finn referred to the disease, but did not disclose the details of the state of health.

The fate of Dominic Thiem looked sadder. The Austrian, who knocked out Alexander Bublik in the first round in brilliant style, was dragging his feet around the court with Ben Shelton two days later. After the first set, the Austrian had to abandon the continuation of the fight. He admitted that before the match he vomited in the toilet, and on the court he became even worse.

Chris Eubanks faced similar problems. The American became ill in the decisive stage of the fourth set of the second round game with Benjamin Bonzi. Chris was losing in sets – 1:2. He was one step away from defeat, but chose to give up the game without resistance in order to escape to the tribune room. He was also very nauseous.

Hubert Hurkacz played to the end of the second round match, but he also looked very bad against the less experienced Jack Draper. The Pole moved uncertainly around the court and quickly lost in three games. He even needed an additional medical examination.

— I felt bad during the game. I hoped that over time I would feel a little better, because I knew that my game was good enough to beat this opponent. But, unfortunately, I didn’t feel good until the very end,” Hurkach said after the match.

Hubert Hurkacz / Photo: © Tim Clayton – Corbis / Contributor / Corbis Sport / Gettyimages.com

“I have to take a lot of medicine”

The epidemic has also affected the women’s network. Ons Jabeur made it to the final of the US Open last year, but this time it will be very difficult for her to repeat this. The athlete complains of the flu from the very first days.

I’ve been sick since Thursday, I think. You have to take a lot of medicine. I do my best. Honestly, they have wonderful doctors here, they help me every day. In general, I took all the medicines that they had, said Zhaber after the second round match.

She had two difficult meetings against less titled athletes. Ons coughed frequently and looked tired. Weak opposition allowed her to get into the third round of the US Open, but there is no certainty that she will win the next match.

It is not yet known for certain what caused most cases of tennis players, but among the priority versions is a new strain of coronavirus, which is now gaining momentum in the United States, as well as an intestinal infection.