France’s Kristina Mladenovic Rips COVID-19 Protocols After Meltdown at US Open

France’s Kristina Mladenovic had her second round US Open match against Russia’s Varvava Gracheva all but finished – until she didnt. Mladenovic was leading 6-1, 5-1 on Wednesday and held serve as she appeared to be cruising to an easy victory.

That’s when things began to crumble for Mladenovic, and not just on the court.

Despite having four match points when leading 5-2, Mladenovic went on to lose the second set in a tiebreaker. She was then swept in the final set in a stunning 1-6, 7-6 (2), 6-0 setback, ending her run in the singles tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City.

“At 5-2, I just collapsed,” Mladenovic said. “I have nothing more to say, I’m completely devastated.”

She didn’t stop there.

Mladenovic went off on the COVID-19 protocols put forth at the US Open. While she has never tested positive, Mladenovic has been one of the players placed under the “enhanced protocol plan” for being in contact with compatriot Benoît Paire, who tested positive for the coronavirus and [withdrew] ahead of the grand slam.

The United States Tennis Association’s protocols have meant that players in contact with Paire are being tested for COVID-19 every day rather than once in four days and are confined to hotel rooms.

Mladenovic said she has tested negative for the coronavirus 30 times while at the US Open.

“The conditions are atrocious,” Mladenovic said, via Reuters. “If I had known that playing cards for 40 minutes with a player who tested positive, but ultimately negative, would have resulted in these consequences, I would never have set foot in this tournament.”

She then added, “I don’t want that to be an excuse for my defeat. It’s not the USTA’s fault that I didn’t convert four match points, don’t get me wrong.”

Now that she’s been eliminated from the singles tournament, Mladenovic will turn her attention to doubles where she will begin play with her partner Timea Babos on Thursday against Kaitlyn Christian and Giuliana Olmos. Mladenovic and Babos are the No. 1 seed and are looking for their second-straight Grand Slam title.

Maybe better times are ahead for Kristina Mladenovic.

Double G Sports will continue to follow the latest headlines out of the 2020 US Open.