A mysterious illness deemed ‘the US Open bug’ is spreading throughout this year’s tournament – with one player saying she ‘feels like a zombie’ and others struggling with sniffling and coughing
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A mysterious ‘bug’ has spread during this year’s edition of the US Open, with a certain number of players suffering shock setbacks or being forced to retire due to illness ahead of the tournament’s closing stages this week .
Tunisian tennis star Ons Jabeur, 29, told reporters on Thursday after her second-round victory over Linda Noskova that she felt unwell during the match and struggled to bring her best game onto the court due to persistent coughing and other syndromes.
“I’m a zombie because I have the flu,” said this year’s Wimbledon finalist. “I’m on a lot of drugs.”
Jabeur – number 5 in the world – added that she was ‘basically taking all the drugs’ recommended by the tournament’s doctors.
Her run at Flushing Meadows ended over Labor Day Weekend when ranked No. 23 Zheng Qinwen of China caused an upset in straight sets (6-2, 6-4).
Tunisian Ons Jabeur said she felt like a ‘zombie’ after suffering an illness similar to the flu
Austria’s Dominic Thiem showed signs of illness during his second round loss to Ben Shelton
Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic complained of stomach pain before her second round match
And like Jabeur, other players have fallen victim to the so-called “US Open bug” since the tournament began Aug. 28 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Center.
Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori, 24, was forced to forfeit his first-round match due to an unspecified illness.
Austria’s Dominic Thiem withdrew during the second set of his second-round match on Wednesday after looking unwell while leaning on the net. It was later revealed that the 30-year-old was suffering from a stomach problem due to The New York Post.
According to Tennis World, Czech Petra Kvitova also reported pain in her abdomen before facing Caroline Wozniacki on Wednesday. The 33-year-old eventually lost in straight sets, 7-5 7-6.
“I’ve got the American open bug.. it still feels like I’m in the tournament in a way, but at home,” Tennys Sandgren, who was eliminated from the league’s qualifiers, said on Twitter on Thursday.
“There’s definitely a bug going around during the Open,” he added in a separate post.
American player Tenny Sandgren, 32, openly revealed he had the ‘us open bug’ on Twitter last month
Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz, 26, also showed signs of illness on Thursday and sought treatment from the tournament’s medical staff before finally falling into the hands of Jack Draper, according to The New York Times.
During games, persistent sniffling, coughing, and sneezing, as well as other signs of illness, could be heard from the crowd and on the field.
Players also carry tissues in their racket bags, as evidenced by footage from the US Open.
What’s more, tennis major analyst John McEnroe revealed he had tested positive for COVID-19 on the second day of the tournament in August.
“I’m watching the US Open from home and can’t wait to get back to work soon,” McEnroe said ESPN.