Novak Djokovic Tests Positive for COVID-19
(June 23, 2020) Novak Djokovic became the fourth professional tennis player to get COVID-19 when he and his wife Jelena tested positive on Tuesday. This follows his Adria exhibition tour over the past two weekends in Serbia and Croatia in which there was no social distancing.
He follows Serbian countryman Viktor Troicki and his pregnant wife, who tested positive on Monday, Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria who tested positive on Sunday and Borna Coric of Croatia who tested positive on Monday.
Novak Djokovic issued the following statement:
The moment we arrived in Belgrade we went to be tested. My result is positive, just as Jelena’s, while the results of our children are negative.
Everything we did in the past month, we did with a pure heart and sincere intentions. Our tournament meant to unite and share a message of solidarity and compassion throughout the region.
The Tour has been designed to help both established and up and coming tennis players from South-Eastern Europe to gain access to some competitive tennis while the various tours are on hold due to the COVID-19 situation.
It was all born with a philanthropic idea, to direct all raised funds towards people in need and it warmed my heart to see how everybody strongly responded to this.
We organized the tournament at the moment when the virus has weakened, believing that the conditions for hosting the Tour had been met.
Unfortunately, this virus is still present, and it is a new reality that we are still learning to cope and live with.
I am hoping things will ease with time so we can all resume lives the way they were.
I am extremely sorry for each individual case of infection. I hope that it will not complicate anyone’s health situation and that everyone will be fine.
I will remain in self-isolation for the next 14 days, and repeat the test in five days.
Djokovic issued an apology later in the day on Tuesday:
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) June 23, 2020
The world No. 1 has come under criticism for multiple stances, saying that he would not want to take a vaccine for COVID, even if it were mandatory. Djokovic also broke lockdowns rules in Spain in May, by practicing at a club. Djokovic also objected to the USTA’s plans for the US Open, including limiting the players entourages and stated that he was not not sure if he was going to play the US Open.
Djokovic has really come under fire for the lack of safety measures taken during his Adria Tour, which had no social distancing and fans in the stands.
The tour was called off.
After today's meeting of all members of the Organizing Committee of Adria Tour, it has been decided that the tournament could not be continued and, therefore, the matches in Banja Luka and Sarajevo will not be held.
Read more: https://t.co/AcBC6xSTBg pic.twitter.com/Sel3wBsYqJ
— Adria Tour Official (@AdriaTennisTour) June 23, 2020
Related article:
Grigor Dimitrov Tests Positive for COVID-19
