World No.1 Tennis Star Novak Djokovic And His Wife Jelena Test Positive To Coronavirus.
The World No.1 in men’s tennis player Novak Djokovic and his wife Jelena annouced on Tuesday, that they have both tested positive for the coronavirus, after taking part in a tennis exhibition series he organized in Serbia and Croatia.
Djokovic becomes the fourth player found to be infected with the virus after days of growing criticism over playing in those exhibitions, as other players and coaches were also found to be infected.
Results have prompted fears among the authorities in Croatia and Serbia that the athletes may have triggered a new wave of infections.
According to NYTimes, The exhibition tournament, was supposed to bring some of the world’s best players to Balkan nations, including Serbia, where Djokovic is from, and provide some income for the participants and some welcome entertainment to tennis fans who haven’t seen professional games since March.
No one wore face masks and social distancing wasn’t enforced in the stands during the series. Players hugged freely with each other after matches and posed for photographs with ball kids and tournament officials. There was no systematic testing done for the coronavirus on the participants before the event began, according to the organizers of the series.
"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 Covid-19."
"Unfortunately, this virus is still present, and it is a new reality we are 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 also extremely sorry for each individual case of infection. I hope it will not complicate anyone's health situation and everyone will be fine".
Djokovic becomes the fourth player found to be infected with the virus after days of growing criticism over playing in those exhibitions, as other players and coaches were also found to be infected.
The tournament called the Adria Tour, which took place in Zadar last weekend, has been mired in controversy after the final was canceled following Grigor Dimitrov's who is a prominent player had tested positive.
According to NYTimes, The exhibition tournament, was supposed to bring some of the world’s best players to Balkan nations, including Serbia, where Djokovic is from, and provide some income for the participants and some welcome entertainment to tennis fans who haven’t seen professional games since March.
No one wore face masks and social distancing wasn’t enforced in the stands during the series. Players hugged freely with each other after matches and posed for photographs with ball kids and tournament officials. There was no systematic testing done for the coronavirus on the participants before the event began, according to the organizers of the series.
In a statement released on his website, Djokovic defended organizing the Adria Tour, a four-stage charity event hosted in the Balkans;
"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," said the 17-time grand slam champion.
"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 Covid-19."
"I am extremely sorry for each individual case of infection.
"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 Stefan, 5, and Tara, 2 are negative.
"I am also extremely sorry for each individual case of infection. I hope it will not complicate anyone's health situation and everyone will be fine".
CloudNine Sports understands that the 33-year-old tennis star Novak Djokovic is set to remain in self-isolation for the next 14 days and have another test in five days' time.
With the ATP Tour suspended since March due to the pandemic, the regular men's tour now plans for a possible return on August 14 at the earliest without spectators and with strict testing and health protocols in place.
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