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French Open: Fernando Verdasco forced out of tournament due to positive COVID-19 test

Fernando Verdasco of Spain shows his emotions against Thanasi Kokkinakis of Australia in their third round match during the Miami Open Presented by Itau at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 26, 2018 in Key Biscayne, Florida
Image: Fernando Verdasco has hit out at French Open chiefs

Veteran Spaniard Fernando Verdasco has hit out at French Open chiefs after being forced out of the tournament following a positive COVID-19 test.

The 36-year-old, a former world No 7, said he had previously tested positive for the virus, asymptomatically, in August.

However Verdasco, who has been tested a number of times since, said he was refused the chance to take another test to find out if the initial one was inaccurate.

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Fernando Verdasco of Spain leaves the arena after losing his Men's Singles match against Alexander Zverev of Germany on day six of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia.

He added that two independent tests taken subsequently to the one he underwent at Roland Garros came back negative.

Verdasco wrote on Twitter: "I want to communicate my total frustration and outrage with the organisation of Roland Garros, for taking away my right to participate in this important event without even giving me the opportunity to take another test with a new sample to confirm that the result of the first could be an error."

Verdasco's place in the men's singles event, which begins on Sunday, will go to a lucky loser from qualifying.

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