"Difficult to be close contact when you practice outside" - Nadal on possibility of getting infected
ATP
Rafael Nadal has allayed fears that he could have been exposed to COVID-19 after a recent practice session with Italy's Matteo Berrettini.
In recent days, the 2021 finalist Berrettini has unexpectedly withdrawn from this year's Wimlbedonafer, testing positive for the deadly disease. Just before that, he had practiced with Nadal, raising the assertion that the two were in close contact.
If that is the case, then Nadal's Wimbledon could be in serious jeopardy, as there is a possibility he could be infected. But he can find solace in the fact that his closest rival, Novak Djokovic, avoided that scare.
The top seed had also trained before the event with a COVID-19-infected player in Marin Cilic, who was also ruled out from competing. Some players like WTA veteran Alize Cornet have questioned health protocols at this year's championships.
Nadal can only sympathize with Berrettini, who had been in excellent form coming to this year's tournament. Many believed he would challenge Djokovic for the title again. The Italian won two warm-up events in Stuttgart and Queen's.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion said he was "feeling great" and that outdoor conditions would probably limit the possibility that he could have contracted the virus.
“It is difficult to be a close contact when you are outside and when you are practising. It’s just that in the outdoors, things look like historically they are more difficult. But anything can happen, no? For the moment I am feeling great, no problems at all."- Rafael Nadal
"The main thing is I feel very sorry for him [Matteo Berrettini] because he was playing fantastically, winning two tournaments before this tournament started. He’s a very good colleague on tour. We know each other well. I know how sad he will probably feel today."- Rafael Nadal
"So I am sorry for him and wish him a quick recovery. He was unlucky the last couple of months, without a doubt.”- Rafael Nadal
