QUEENS, NEW YORK: The US Open, which is taking place at the renowned Flushing Meadows stadium in New York, has sparked concerns among both players and attendees.
Reports have emerged of a number of players coming down with severe stomach problems, including vomiting, leading to questions about whether it might be related to Covid-19.
Speculations emerge of Covid-19 impacting the US Open
"Unsure if it's a new variant of Covid or a stomach flu, but something is happening at the US Open," wrote a Tennis account on X.
The tweet continued, "Too many players with stomach issues, feeling fatigued. Let's hope it doesn't spread further, and that other players are cautious, especially for their health."
The tweet added, "Today, Hurkacz really looked unwell during the third set. We still don't know what issue he was facing, but if it's the same as Thiem's or Ruusuvuori's (who withdrew before the tournament due to sickness), there's definitely an outbreak happening."
One user commented on the post, saying, "Probably both. stomach issues are probably viral gastroenteritis, which is contagious. but I've read that many fans who attended last week have Covid."
Another replied, "There’s definitely something in the air, players still competing should sanitize and watch what they eat. No handshakes!"
A third wrote, "Well. Johnny Mac has Covid and isn’t calling matches. My $$ is on Covid coming to play the USOpen sadly."
"Hope? Thoughts and prayers? Mask up. Distance. Stop minimizing and denying," added a fourth, while a fifth added, "What are the odds of the us open bug being covid."
Someone else quipped, "All favorites getting covid bug at US Open. Eubanks and now Hurkacz. Damn."
Is Covid-19's impact on the US Open a conspiracy theory?
However, conflicting opinions have arisen, with some individuals refuting the notion of Covid and suggesting that food poisoning may be a more plausible explanation for the players falling ill.
One user wrote, "There’s a vomiting bug making it’s way around the US Open. Predictably, the Covid loons can’t wait to tell everyone to mask up."
The user added, "Because of course it’s Covid. Not viral gastroenteritis, which spreads like wildfire, as it did through my entire extended family not 3 weeks ago."
Another labelled the Covid rumors as a "conspiracy theory."
The user wrote, "A stomach bug at the US Open is my favorite new Covid conspiracy. There were never stomach bugs before. Look to wise people on here for the truth."
Players that have the 'US Open bug'
Several prominent players, including Tennys Sandgren, Czech player Petra Kvitová, Austrian Dominic Thiem, Tunisian tennis star Ons Jabeur, and Emil Ruusuvuori of Finland, have reportedly fallen victim to the "US Open bug."
"It would be nice if those players who feel bad would wear masks or something like that," Polish player, Iga Swiatek, 22, said ahead of the tournament’s second week, per Tennis World.
Swiatek contined, "I don’t know if it’s something related to COVID, but usually at sporting events like this, these things can spread easily."
She further said, "I’ve already had a few colds this season and it’s had a big impact on me, so at a grand slam I definitely don’t want to make those mistakes."
She added, "I also watch what I eat. It’s important for me to keep an eye on everything and prevent it."
