Johanna Konta ruled out of Wimbledon as team member tests positive for COVID-19

Wimbledon in numbers

When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Johanna Konta has suffered Wimbledon heartbreak after close contact with a positive COVID-19 case. The British No 1 will not have to sit aside for the tournament on home soil in compliance with Public Health England’s guidelines and recommendations.

Wimbledon confirmed the blow in a statement which read: ‘The Referee’s Office has advised that Johanna Konta (GBR) has been withdrawn from the Ladies’ Singles Draw, having been classified as a close contact of a positive test for COVID-19.

‘In line with government legislation, Konta is required to spend 10 days in self isolation.

‘Following the withdrawal of Miss Konta: Her position on line 8 will be replaced by lucky loser Yafan Wang (CHN).’

Konta’s campaign was due to begin on Tuesday when she faced off against the Czech Republic’s Katerina Siniakova in the first round.

The 30-year-old was heading into Wimbledon full of confidence despite a difficult 18 months, having recently won the Nottingham Open.

Earlier this week, Konta had expressed her bemusement at the strict rules surrounding tournament participation.

Despite being a Battersea resident, Konta was forced to pack up her things and move into a hotel in Westminster, central London with the rest of her fellow competitors.

It meant she has had to house her two dogs with family members during the tournament.

She had chosen her fiancee and coach Dan Smethurst and her strength and conditioning coach Gill Myburgh to enter the bubble with her.

“It’s odd to drive past kind of my home every day on the way to Wimbledon, kind of half an hour into the journey I’m like, “Oh, okay. That is odd,” Konta said.

“It’s a small price to pay to be able to be back and playing again here at Wimbledon. I mean, the way the set-up is, it’s quite similar to the US Open. It’s kind of like an all-inclusive cruise.

“I’ve never been on a cruise, but that’s how I imagine an all- inclusive cruise to be.”

It’s understood Konta will be allowed to return home to carry out her period of isolation.

Konta was looking to put her troubles with a knee injury behind her, despite admitting she may never recover from the problem which continues to aggravate her.

The Sydney-born star was forced to withdraw from events in Birmingham and her home town Eastbourne in order to rest up for Wimbledon but now Konta has suffered a devastating blow less than two days out from her tournament opener.

Source: Read Full Article