Saina Nehwal has been forced to pull out of the ongoing Yonex Thailand Open 2021 after testing positive for the Covid-19. This in the second time she has tested positive for the virus, the first being a few weeks back.
She reportedly tested positive for the coronavirus in the third round of tests that were taken yesterday. All players and participants at the Yonex Thailand Open 2021 underwent their third tests yesterday.
UPDATE: HS Prannoy has also tested positive for Covid-19 at the Yonex Thailand Open 2021, the Indian Express reports.
She has reportedly been told to leave the players’ hotel and go into quarantine in a hospital.
Nehwal’s first round match in the tournament was against Kisona Selvaduray of Malaysia. Kisona was given a ‘WALKOVER’.
Nehwal’s husband Parupalli Kashyap is also due to play his first round match today. It seems very doubtful that he would be allowed to continue in the tournament as well.
Nehwal testing positive for Covid-19 could very well mean more withdrawals from the Indian team.