简体中文
Wang Yafan of China hits a return in the women's singles of the French Open qualifying tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, May 24, 2021. /CFP
Chinese tennis player Wang Yafan will be able to attend women's singles competitions in the coming Wimbledon Championships after Britain's Johanna Konta had to quit the event.
Wang will meet Katerina Siniakova from the Czech Republic in the first-round match. There are another three Chinese players participating in the Grand Slam event: Zhang Shuai, Zhu Lin and Wang Xinyu.
This year's Wimbledon will happen from June 28 to July 11.
Konta, who is No. 31 in the latest world rankings table of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA), could not attend the Championships due to close contact with one of her team members who tested positive for COVID-19.
Johanna Konta of Britain holds the Viking Open Trophy after she beats Zhang Shuai of China at Nottingham Tennis Centre in Nottingham, England, June 13, 2021. /CFP
"A member of Johanna Konta's team presented with COVID-19 symptoms this morning, and immediately isolated and undertook a PCR test in accordance with the Championships' testing protocol," said Wimbledon in a statement.
"A positive result was returned which resulted in the AELTC (All England Club), together with Public Health England, identifying Johanna Konta to be a close contact. In line with government legislation, she is required to self-isolate for 10 days and therefore is withdrawn from The Championships."
"Both Johanna and her team member had tested negative on all previous tests undertaken within The Championships' protocols. Both individuals were advised of the positive test and close-contact classification and are now self-isolating for the next 10 days."
Back in 2017, Konta reached semifinals in Wimbledon before losing to Venus Williams from the U.S., 6-4 and 6-2. Her No. 31 world ranking is also the highest for any British female tennis player.
Konta was not the only one who had to quit Wimbledon because of the coronavirus. Last week, Frederik Nielsen of Denmark was removed from the event after his coach tested positive for COVID-19. Nielson paired with Britain's Jonny Marray to win men's doubles title in Wimbledon.
