The 2009 Wimbledon championships has been hit by the swine flu AH1N1 virus. This was revealed recently as three male players have shown swine flu symptoms and have tested positive for the AH1N1 virus. However, authorities said the three are getting better.

The virus scare was revealed earlier this week after several ball boys and ball girls have shown flu-like symptoms and were advised to stay home. Later, it was revealed that three male doubles players have shown the same symptoms and have subsequently tested positive. They are world number 29
doubles player Michal Mertinak, his fellow Slovakian, world number 22 Filip Polasek, and 25th-ranked American Travis Parrott. According to the the Daily Mail, Mertinak and Polasak were sharing a hotel room in London for the tournament while Parrott was Polasek’s doubles partner. The three have lost in the early rounds of the tournament.

No other players have tested positive for the virus so far but Wimbledon organizers are taking precautionary measures to avert an outbreak. Anti-bacterial wipes have been issued to all participants and staff and procedures for the disposal of used towels have been reiterated. In the closed confines of the locker rooms, the virus will likely spread if everyone will not be careful.

The men’s singles quarterfinals are due today while the ladies’ semis will start tomorrow. The swine flu scare is not expected to affect the tournament at this stage.

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