Tennis News: World number two Simona Halep is doubtful for taking part in the Palermo Ladies Open which is planned for August 3. This is due to the 14 days of quarantine being applied for people traveling or coming from Romania by Italy.
Simona Halep himself was planned to take part in the tournament which marked the return of the WTA since it was stopped in mid-March due to the corona virus pandemic. However, Halep’s desire to play could not be granted, seeing the high increase in positive cases of the corona virus in Romania.
Even so, the 28-year-old tennis player is almost certain to be able to take part in the Prague Open held after the Palermo Ladies Open precisely on 10 to 26 August.
Responding to that, adapted from the BBC, the organizers of the Palermo Ladies Open tournament have now requested the exemption of the quarantine rules for players who will take part in the tournament.
READ ALSO : Madison Keys Claims First Victory at this Exhibition
Through the Tournament Director, Oliviero Palma said he had written a letter to Italian Minister of Health Roberto Speranza, as the authority holder who had also imposed a quarantine for those who came from Bulgaria.
He said all players in the tournament would be tested for the corona virus before traveling to Italy. In fact, they will also be tested again on their arrival in Italy and will not be allowed to leave the hotel until they get the results of the test. Not just once, further corona virus tests will also be carried out every four days.
“We believe that the health protocol adopted by the WTA is very strict to ensure the safety and health of not only athletes but also of all workers involved in the event,” he said.
Previously, Halep had also hinted that the rest of the season he would only focus on tournaments in Europe after considering the health crisis in the US that still raised questions about the US Open event planned to be held on 31 August.
Halep’s commitment to running clay-court tournaments in a row indicates that the focus now is down at the French Open which will be held on September 27th.
