The year 2022 has started badly for Richard Gasquet. The tennis player, who was scheduled to play in the Australian Open from January 17, has tested positive for Covid-19. He has been placed in solitary confinement until next weekend in a hotel in Melbourne. Doubly vaccinated, Richard Gasquet had already contracted the Covid last spring. He expressed his frustration at the microphone of Europe 1.
PCR test required by Australian protocol
“I absolutely did not expect to have it,” he said. “It’s mentally complicated. Last year, I had the ‘luck’ to have it at home, in France. There, it’s more difficult”. All the more difficult since Richard Gasquet first underwent a first PCR test, which was negative. The second, provided for by the Australian protocol, turned out to be positive.
No symptoms
“It is always the problem of tennis players. It is a profession where we know that, inevitably, we are very subject to Covid tests because we travel all over the world”, explains Richard Gasquet, who can nevertheless be consoled with the terrace of his hotel room. “It is true that it is important”, he underlines. “I was able to change rooms. Today, I have a bike in my room and I try to maintain myself so as not to come out too tired of my isolation because the Australian Open starts in a week” .
Richard Gasquet does not present any symptoms and it is “the most important”. The player tries to put things into perspective. “I think I will recover faster than last time. I was still more affected last spring.”
Richard Gasquet had given up on the previous edition of the Australian Slam due to a foot injury … At forced rest, the 87th world will have to be operational on January 17 to play the Australian Open, perhaps his last , he who could bow out in 2022.