US Open 2020: It’s like we are prisoners, have to ask permission for everything, says Kristina Mladenovic

The US Open in 2020 has been a subject of great debate, earlier with high-profile players such as Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal pulling out due to safety concerns.

Now, the French tennis player Kristina Mladenovic has ignited another debate on the conditions and the safety protocol to be followed by players at the Flushing Meadows.

Speaking after her second round loss to the press, Kristina Mladenovic said, “I have only one desire, and that’s to get my freedom back and even that we don’t have yet.”

Mladenovic is one of seven players who came into close contact with Benoit Paire before he tested positive for coronavirus and is under elevated restrictions.

Slamming the requirement that the affected players stay in isolation other than for practice or competition, she said, “It’s like we are prisoners, or criminals.

“For even the slightest movement, we have to ask permission even though we are tested every day and had 37 negatives. It’s abominable. The conditions are atrocious.”

Mladenovic was knocked out in second round of US Open

On Wednesday, in her second round match, the Frenchwoman led 102nd-ranked Varvara Gracheva, 6-1, 5-1, then held four match points. Incredibly, she lost 1-6, 7-6 (2) 6-0 from that position.

Gracheva, a 20-year-old from Russia, is playing in her first Grand Slam main draw and will face Petra Martic on Friday.

The new protocols began before the first round, with Paire withdrawn one day before the US Open began.

“If I had known that playing cards for 40 minutes with a mask with a player who tested positive… would have these consequences, I would never have set foot in this tournament,” she said.

Mladenovic remains in the doubles draw with Timea Babos – the No. 1 seeds are set to play their opener on Thursday.

The other players under strict guidelines include Adrian Mannarino, Gregoire Barrere, Richard Gasquet, Edouard Roger-Vasselin, Kirsten Flipkens and Ysaline Bonaventure.