The Covid-19 outbreak in the Wimbledon men’s draw claimed its third victim on Thursday, when Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut announced he had tested positive and withdrew from this year’s championships.
The 17th-seeded said he experienced “not very serious” symptoms after taking a positive test ahead of his second round match against Daniel Elahi Galan, but he had no choice but to withdraw from the tournament due to the regulations. from Wimbledon.
A statement on Twitter: “Today I informed Wimbledon of my cancellation. I have tested positive for Covid-19. Fortunately the symptoms are not very serious but I think it is the best decision. Thank you for your support. I hope to come back soon.”
The news comes after two other players have been forced to withdraw since the men’s singles started on Monday.
14th seed Marin Cilic announced he was unable to play his opening round match against Mackenzie McDonald, while last year’s finalist Matteo Berrettini, Italy’s eighth seed, withdrew on Tuesday for his first meeting with Christian Garin.
Fears of serious disruption among the leading men at Wimbledon have increased this week following the loss of both Berrettini and Cilic, who reached the 2017 final.
Wimbledon was completely canceled in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and returned under strict protocols last year. As with most sporting events, those protocols have eased considerably this year, despite the recent wider community spike in Covid-19 infections.
The protocols are under constant review and it is clear that new measures are now being actively considered in an effort to reduce the risk of a wider outbreak.