Former finalist Marin Cilic has pulled out of Wimbledon after testing positive for COVID-19, the Croatian said on Monday.
The first Covid-19 casualty at Wimbledon occurred on Monday when former finalist Marin Cilic, who had trained with the reigning champion Novak Djokovic the week prior, was eliminated from the competition.
The former US Open champion from Croatia, spotted playing on Centre Court alongside an unvaccinated Djokovic last Thursday, was drawn to perhaps face 23-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal, in the quarterfinals.
Novak Djokovic & Marin Cilic practicing on Center Court. Not normally a big deal but for Wimbledon it is, as it’s the 1st time competitors have been allowed to practice on the hallowed surface before the event starts. In my time coming here, at least. Good move by the club. pic.twitter.com/BBYRnLgYrN
— Darren Cahill (@darren_cahill)Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Wimbledon was cancelled entirely in 2020 and only resumed last year under highly stringent conditions. Although there is improved cleaning, as with other sporting events, this year's protocols have been significantly relaxed.
Also read: Wimbledon 2022: 'Honour and pleasure to be back on Centre Court' - Novak Djokovic
Taking to Instagram, the 2017 Wimbledon finalist said, "Hey guys, I am sad to share that I tested positive for COVID. I have been self-isolating and was hopeful I would be ready, but unfortunately, I am still feeling unwell & unable to compete at my best."
"I am heartbroken to be missing @Wimbledon & to see my grass season end this way 😞. Looking forward to competing again next year!" Cilic wrote in his post caption.
The 33-year-old Cilic, who won the US Open in 2014, reached the final of the grasscourt Grand Slam five years ago when he lost to Roger Federer. The 14th-seeded Cilic arrived at Wimbledon in good shape, having recently advanced to the quarterfinals of the ATP 500 tournament on the grass at Queen's and the French Open.
Nuno Borges will take Cilic's position in the draw. Nadal, who has won the first two Grand Slam events of the season to surpass Djokovic and Federer on the all-time list, benefits from the Croatian's absence. A representative for the All England Club stated, "We are adhering to UK guidance around assessment and isolation of any potential infectious disease."
Also read: How yoga, meditation and veganism transformed Novak Djokovic's career
'Get well soon' wishes poured in instantly across social media platforms. However, several fans took to Twitter to note that Cilic fell sick after practicising with an unvaccinated Djokovic. Here's a look at some of the reactions:
so cilic practised with an unvaccinated djokovic whilst possibly being positive for covid already? oh christ, this wimbledon is gonna be a trainwreck 💀 https://t.co/pr1Exe3VI5
— ericka⁵ 🦋🌧 (@rubledever)Cilic testing positive for Covid and Djokovic looking low on energy in round one…🧐 https://t.co/4hcl6jfPdV
— Dylan B (@dccb31)BUT wait... didn't Cilic practice with Djokovic 4 days ago and he today appear very lackluster pic.twitter.com/StryQpupZC
— The Great Emperor. (@LionLucky13)Djokovic practiced with Cilic on centre court four days ago lol
— 9-7 in the 5th (@97InThe5th)Did practice with ? https://t.co/fECbFILtGI
— MC (@wustler)Cilic retired from because of Covid. He trained with unvaccinated 3 days ago. Yikes.
— Julia ❎ (@Iuliamynameis)Wasn’t Djokovic practising with Cilic who’s tested positive for covid? Get well soon, Marin ❤️🩹
Think Djerkov needs to take a test!
Cilic and Djokovic, now Cilic got tested positive, did Djoko got tested? https://t.co/4owl7aE91y
— Doris (@Dorli_Wi)People are genuinely asking for Djokovic to be tested.
I don’t think cilic has COVID NOW. He had it, couldn’t recover in time
And if Nole is positive, he in theory won’t make very far in the draw. Some people want players to lose no matter what huh? https://t.co/yWDJ2VvBiF