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A seemingly innocent video appeared on Instagram on November 4. The minute-long clip, uploaded by American screenwriter and director Douglas Ellin – greatest often known as the creator of the TV collection Entourage – reveals a bunch of males taking part in a recreation of Pickleball on a tennis court docket in Santa Monica, California. One of them, although, was American tennis participant Sam Querrey.
A month in the past, Querrey, his spouse and youngster, had examined optimistic for coronavirus forward of an ATP event at St Petersburg, Russia. But as an alternative of going into quarantine, the household secretly fled the nation with out informing the event organisers. The 33-year-old has since stored away from the public eye, resulting in unconfirmed stories – birthed on social media – suggesting that he might need fled to both Canada, Russia’s neighbouring Scandinavian nations, or a Balkan nation the place entry was doable with out the want for a Covid-19 check.
The actual whereabouts of the World No 53 – who was ranked as excessive as 11 in 2018 – have been unknown. Until Ellin’s video surfaced.
ATP Protocol for tournaments
When the tour resumed in August after the five-month hiatus brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, the ATP put in place a strict protocol to be adopted at every event. All gamers and their companions (assist workers and/or household) travelling with them are to be examined for the virus, and solely after testing adverse will they be allowed to go to the venue. Thereon, the participant and his group might be examined on each fourth day starting with the opening day of the occasion. A optimistic check at any time will lead to fast disqualification and the have to self-isolate.
Querrey’s journey to St Petersburg
According to a press release launched by Formula TX, the firm that organised the St Petersburg occasion, Querrey, his spouse and their eight-month-old son landed in the metropolis on October 7, have been instantly examined and declared adverse. Four days later, on October 11, a check revealed that the Querrey household had contracted the virus. It was confirmed by a subsequent check performed on the identical day.
“According to the ATP protocol and the rules of Rospotrebnadzor, the Russian federal service monitoring mass events, including sports competitions, Sam Querrey was disqualified and isolated in his room of the ‘Four Seasons’ hotel,” learn the assertion.
“As recommended by the local Rospotrebnadzor and provided the course of the disease is asymptomatic, it was supposed to transfer Querrey from the hotel to private apartments for self-isolation so that the family wouldn’t experience any inconvenience nor pose a threat of disease dissemination. To that end, the organising committee had prepared premium-class apartments.”
Escape from Russia
As per the organising committee, the event had organized a health care provider and paediatrician to go to the Querrey household to look at them. Two makes an attempt have been made to achieve the American participant, however none have been fruitful. On October 12, Querrey didn’t open his resort room door – “justifying his refusal by the fact that his child was sleeping.” A gathering was agreed upon for the subsequent day, however this time there was no reply on the door.
Subsequently, earlier than the Querreys have been to be shifted to a personal condo, one other check was scheduled for October 15. By this time, nonetheless, it had emerged the household had already left the nation.
“Instead of acting in accordance with the ATP rules and the tournament sanitary protocol, at 5:45 AM on October 13, Sam Querrey along with his family left the hotel without informing the reception – as was filmed by the hotel security cameras,” the organising committee’s assertion learn.
“As Querrey told the ATP representative, he flew out of Russia on a private jet. The ATP representative passed on this information to the tournament management after the doctors made a repeat abortive attempt to examine the family.”
The assertion additional added that every one disciplinary actions henceforth might be primarily based on the ATP’s determination.
ATP’s silence
At the time, the ATP had issued a press release relating to a missing participant, with out naming Querrey.
“Adhering to health and safety protocols is critical to ensure events take place safely and within the guidelines established by local authorities. Players and their support team members are reminded that breaches of protocol can jeopardise an event’s ability to operate and have repercussions on the rest of the Tour. In accordance with ATP’s Code of Conduct, we are taking this matter extremely seriously and an investigation is underway.”
According to a report in The Guardian, Querrey’s actions may lead to a wonderful of as much as USD 100,000 together with a three-year suspension if “the breach of the health and safety protocols is deemed as a ‘serious offence.’”
So far, there was no communication from the ATP relating to any motion taken towards the American. But it appears the seek for Querrey is over.
© The Indian Express (P) Ltd
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