Fognini tests positive for COVID-19

[October 15, 2020]    Fabio Fognini of Italy withdrew from the Forte Village Sardegna Open after testing positive for COVID-19.

Norway's Casper Ruud in action during his second round match against Italy's Fabio Fognini REUTERS/Cathrin Mueller

Fognini, who is ranked 16th in the world, announced the news on Wednesday in an Instagram story.

"Guys, I have to tell you that this morning I tested positive for Covid-19," the 33-year-old wrote in Italian. "The symptoms are very mild, a little cough and fever, headache ... but unfortunately this bad news has arrived.

"I'm already in isolation and I'm convinced that I will recover very soon. I hug you all."

Fognini played doubles on Tuesday with countryman Lorenzo Musetti at the tournament in Italy and was slated to have his first singles match on Wednesday against Spain's Roberto Carballes Baena. He has been replaced by lucky loser Danilo Petrovic of Serbia, who defeated Carballes Baena 6-1, 6-4.

"All the people with whom Fognini was in direct contact were placed in preventive isolation and subjected to new swabs," the Italian Tennis Federation said in a statement.

Fognini has won nine singles titles on the ATP Tour, including the 2019 Monte Carlo Masters. He won a Grand Slam doubles title at the 2015 Australian Open, paired with countryman Simone Bolelli.

--Field Level Media

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