Another tennis star tests positive for Covid-19

Russia’s world No.5 won this month’s Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi, which appears to be quickly becoming a superspreader event for the virus.

Rublev beat Andy Murray in the final but the Brit has so far avoided the fate of others at the tournament who tested positive.

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Murray confirmed on Monday that he had received a third dose of the Covid vaccine, also known as the “booster shot”.

Rafael Nadal, Denis Shapovalov, Ons Jabeur and Belinda Bencic have already announced they had Covid-19 after competing at the exhibition event, while Emma Raducanu withdrew before playing in Abu Dhabi.

Nadal suggested he may have contracted the virus at the airport, while Shapovalov’s positive test was confirmed after he arrived in Sydney on Thursday.

“I want to share some news with you. I am currently in Barcelona and unfortunately tested positive for Covid-19,” Rublev said on Twitter.

“I have minimal symptoms. I am in isolation and following all the protocols under the supervision of doctors.

“As you know, I am fully vaccinated and was preparing for tournaments – ATP Cup and Australian Open. Now I have to recover and I will go to Melbourne only when it will be safe for everyone.

“I am very upset and concerned about what is happening. Please, take care of yourself and of the people around you. I will return to the court as soon as possible.”

The ATP Cup is due to start on Saturday, with Russia scheduled to start its campaign against Austria on Sunday night.

Rublev was initially hesitant about being vaccinated against Covid, saying he “will not do it” if he had an option because it didn’t “really give you any privilege”.

But the 24-year-old was vaccinated once the Australian Open mandated players had to be inoculated or receive a medical exemption to compete in the grand slam tournament.

“I need to get vaccinated. On the whole, this jab is necessary,” Rublev told Russian news agency TASS in October.

“There were so many illnesses and viruses in the past and there is no other way today without a vaccine.”

Rublev is among the group of young players jostling to one day replace Novak Djokovic at the top of the men’s game.

He also made the quarter-finals at last year’s French Open and the 2017 and 2020 US Opens and won a gold medal in mixed doubles with Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova at this year’s Tokyo Olympics.

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