Sam Querrey fine punishment ATP tennis coronavirus news reaction

#American tennis player #Sam #Querrey was handed a suspended US$20,000 (A$26,000) fine by the ATP tour on #Wednesday (#Thursday AEDT) for breaching coronavirus protocols at the #St. #Petersburg #Open in #October.

#Querrey left #Russia on a private plane after testing positive for COVID-19, despite having been placed in isolation by local authorities.

The ATP said its investigation into the incident concluded that #Querrey’s conduct was “contrary to the integrity of the game.”

#However, the fine will be lifted if the 33-year-old #Querrey does not commit any further violations of health and safety protocols related to COVID-19 during a six-month probationary period.

The ATP said it took #Querrey’s “many years of otherwise good standing with the ATP and other mitigating factors” into consideration when deciding on a suspended fine.

#Leading tennis journalist #Ben #Rothenberg has been covering the story closely and tweeted that the ATP had set a “pretty incredible precedence of lenience.”

#Many tennis fans on social media were similarly unimpressed, and questioned whether other players, including #Australia’s #Nick #Kyrgios, would have got off so lightly.

#It means #Querrey will be allowed to play in the #Australian #Open, which starts three weeks later than usual on on #February 8.

#Tournament organisers have revised the schedule and playing conditions in striving to deliver a COVID-19 safe event.

“#Health and safety will continue to be paramount as we navigate the challenges ahead, and I want to thank everyone involved for their commitment to finding solutions to launch our 2021 season,” ATP chairman #Andrea #Gaudenzi said.

TA’s #Aus #Open plan revealed