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Russian tennis star Aslan Karatsev has tested positive for COVID-19 and is out of the ATP Cup.
Russia has now suffered two major blows as a few days ago world No.Karatsev and Donskoy are out of ATP Cup after testing positive for Covid — Tarpischev. — Oleg S. (@AnnaK_4ever) December 29, 2021
5 Andrey Rublev announced he tested positive for COVID-19. Russia won the ATP Cup earlier this year and they had been considered a strong candidate to win back-to-back titles. Now after losing Karatsev and Rublev, Russia's chances of winning back-to-back titles at the ATP Cup are much lower.
Karatsev was a member of the Russian team that won the Davis Cup Finals title earlier this month. "Well, definitely I want to congratulations my team. They did an unbelievable job," Karatsev said. "Of course, it's something special when you win a Davis Cup.
It's something emotional, more historic than ATP Cup, but still unbelievable tournament. "Yeah, I'm just so proud. Nothing more to say."
Karatsev, Rublev suffer blows
Rublev announced a positive COVID-19 test on December 26.
"I am currently in Barcelona and unfortunately tested positive for Covid-19," Rublev said. "I am in isolation and following all the protocols under the supervision of doctors. "As you know, I am fully vaccinated and was preparing for tournaments - ATP Cup and Australian Open.
Now I have to recover and I will go to Melbourne only when it will be safe for everyone." Karatsev and Rublev won two doubles matches together at the Davis Cup Finals. "Yeah, team competition is always special. Here at the Davis Cup or Olympic Games normally we don't have much time to spend together.
These kind of competitions, we have to be together almost every day, eat together, have breakfast together, spend time together. This is something special that we are missing that we don't really have time to do. These kind of events, they give us this chance," Rublev explained. It remains to be seen how far can Russia go at the ATP Cup without Karatsev and Rublev.