Published 11:32 IST, January 12th 2021
Saina Nehwal tests positive for COVID-19 in Thailand, fans wish her speedy recovery
Hours before the Thailand Open 2021 was to begin, Indian shuttlers Saina Nehwal and HS Prannoy contracted COVID-19 after their third test in Bangkok, Thailand.
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After a trying 2020, Indian shuttlers have been eager to resume a somewhat regular schedule in 2021. However, hours before the Thailand Open 2021 could begin. Saina Nehwal and HS Prannoy tested positive for COVID-19. Nehwal's result comes almost a day after her recent social media post, where the 30-year-old is getting tested for her third COVID-19 test in Bangkok before the tournament would start.
Saina Nehwal, HS Prannoy COVID-19 news comes hours ahead of Thailand Open 2021
According to information coming in from #YonexThailandOpen2021, @nsaina tested positive for #covid in the third test yesterday and was asked to withdraw. Another Indian player has also tested positive. We could see more withdrawals from the Indian contingent.
— Abhijeet Kulkarni (@abk6580) January 12, 2021
As per reports, Prannoy and Nehwal will be withdrawing from the Thailand Open following their positive COVID-19 tests. On Tuesday, Nehwal pulled out of her match against Kisona Selvaduray (Malaysia). As per reports and the video Nehwal shared, their positive tests came back after their third test.
Nehwal, Prannoy along with Nehwal's husband Parupalli Kashyap will be quarantined for ten days. While the latter has tested negative, he will have to quarantine – missing his game against Canada's Jason Anthony Ho-Shue.
3rd COVID test here in bangkok 😢😢... The tournament starts tomorrow 👍👍 #bangkok #Thailandopen #tournament #badminton pic.twitter.com/Lc5c7YZkQa
— Saina Nehwal (@NSaina) January 11, 2021
Nehwal's test also comes days after she lashed out at the Badminton World Federation (BWF) for the rules they had set. She spoke about not being able to train or practice with others – which in turn affects their preparation for the Olympics.
She continued to speak about the physios and other staff members who have accompanied them, hoping that BWF alters their rules. "We’ve spent a lot of money getting the physios and trainers along with us. If they can’t help us then why was this not told before?" she wrote. At the end of the thread, Nehwal even mentioned that she contacted BWF media, but was not given a response.
Fans react to Nehwal COVID-19 news
This happens in Thailand? How about everyone in contact with her?
— Anne 🌼 (@solemnsunset) January 12, 2021
Speedy recovery!
This is absolute bullshit, after so many tests and quarantine, how can this happen in the last minute!
— Mohammed Sayeed (@mohammedbasu) January 12, 2021
Simple law of false positive. Saina had already got covid, and now again? She was already in bubble and had 2 negative results. The testing kit are not that accurate. Mostly they use rapid testing kits. Proper covid test takes 24 hours.
— dhruv (@DZatakia) January 12, 2021
If she had tested positive (from an RC-PCR test) earlier and recovered, could this latest one be from a dead virus (if, again, this one is also RT-PCR)?
— K.P. Mohan (@kaypeem) January 12, 2021
but how? Sending much love to you @NSaina
— Belantara Burhanuddin (@yourtarbal) January 12, 2021
Indian badminton players with COVID-19
Before, in December, Kashyap, Prannoy, Pranaav Jerry Chopra and RMV Gurusai Dutt has tested positive for COVID-19 after the latter's wedding ceremony. Back then, Nehwal had tested negative. Fans raised concerns about false positive tests, hoping for another checkup. Previously, Kidambi Srikanth, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and N Sikki Reddy have contracted the virus.
(Image credits: Siana Nehwal Twitter)
11:32 IST, January 12th 2021