Potential COVID scare at the French Open as defending champion Barbora Krejcikova & Marie Bouzkova test positive

Defending champion Barbora Krejcikova crashed out of the 2022 French Open in the first round, losing 1-6, 6-2, 6-3 to Diane Parry.

The Czech was also the defending champion in the doubles category, alongside compatriot Katerina Siniakova. The duo were scheduled to take on Anna Kalinskaya and Dalma Galfi in their opener but the pair withdrew at the last minute.

Barbora Krejcikova took to Instagram to reveal that she has tested positive for COVID-19 and would not be able to play the match.

"I was looking forward to competing in doubles very much but unfortunately my time here at Roland Garros got cut short. Last night I started to feel bad and this morning I woke up with fever," Krejcikova wrote. "I decided to get tested for Covid and it came back positive. I am extremely sad that I won't be able to defend my title in doubles here, but on the positive side, I am glad I am injury free and can't wait to get healthy and back to training."

The 26-year-old was not the first player to test positive in the tournament, with Marie Bouzkova announcing the news a few hours prior to Krejcikova. The Czech was scheduled to take on Elise Mertens, but withdrew from the singles match following her doubles encounter.

"Hi everyone, unfortunatelly, I tested positive for covid today for the first time, so I am withdrawing from both singles and doubles here in Paris. Hopefully I will start to feel better soon and get back on court," Bouzkova wrote on Twitter.

The announcements have sent the alarm bells ringing, with many worried about the virus' potential to spread among other players in the coming days. For the record, France no longer has a vaccine mandate in place and even unvaccinated players have been allowed entry at the French Open this year.

There hasn't been any spread reported so far, but considering the number of people who come in contact with players during matches, the situation needs to be monitored as closely as possible.

Iga Swiatek practiced with Barbora Krejcikova at the French Open

Iga Swiatek practiced with Barbora Krejcikova at the French Open, making fans even more worried

Barbora Krejcikova practiced with World No. 1 Iga Swiatek at the French Open earlier this week. It is likely that the World No. 2 contracted the infection only after the practice session, but it is still a cause for concern.

Swiatek is slated to take on Alison Riske in the second round later today. So far, there haven't been any signs from the Pole's camp that she has been struck down by the virus. A win against Riske would pit Swiatek against either Danka Kovinic or Anna Karolina Schmiedlova in the third round.