Saina Nehwal Set to Miss Thailand Open 2021 After Testing Positive for
Covid-19

Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal has tested positive for coronavirus ahead of the Thailand Open. Saina was ready to participate in the Thailand Open 2021, which has begun on Tuesday. Saina has been tested positive in the third Test for Covid-19.

The organizers instructed her to self-quarantine herself at a hospital for a minimum of ten days and made her withdraw from the event. Further, Saina Nehwal’s husband and men’s world number 24 Parupalli Kashyap has also been asked to self-quarantine as he shares the room with his wife.

Saina had also shared a video on social media where she was seen going through the test. “3rd COVID test here in Bangkok… The tournament starts tomorrow #bangkok #Thailand Open #tournament #badminton,” Saina tweeted.

https://twitter.com/NSaina/status/1348548446639177730?s=20

The Indian team has been categorized as high risk by Thai Health Authorities, and all players and staff are currently quarantining in their hotel rooms.

“All international Green Zone participants were required to submit a negative in their own country before departure to Bangkok and were then tested again in Bangkok upon entry into hotel quarantine,” BWF had said in a statement.

As a result, Saina’s opponent in the first round, KisonaSelvaduray has got a walkover. PV Sindhu meanwhile remains the only Indian in the women’s singles draws at the first tournament on the international badminton calendar which was paused due to the pandemic.

The Yonex Thailand Open got underway on Tuesday, and top Indian stars PV Sindhu, Kidambi Srikanth, and Sai Praneeth are ready to take the field. Star Sports Network will live broadcast the tournament while it will be live-streamed on Disney+ Hotstar.