Grigor Dimitrov was extremely happy to join the Adria Tour, an event that was the brainchild of Novak Djokovic whose tournament director was his brother Djordje. Unfortunately, after a glorious start in Belgrade, things went south in Zadar after Grigor Dimitrov was found positive to the Coronavirus. The Adria Tour was canceled and all the criticism already arisen for the lack of social distancing exploded on social media.
We don’t know where Dimitrov contracted the Coronavirus
The organization was quick in canceling the tour and test all people known to have been in contact with the Bulgarian. As reported by Blic, Djordje stressed the fact that they have followed all the regulations imposed in Serbia and Croatia.
“We received information from Grigor’s manager that he was tested in Monaco today and that he is positive for the corona virus. We are very sorry. We tried to respect, and we did, all the prescribed measures of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, as well as the Government of the Republic of Croatia. We have done everything necessary on our part. Unfortunately, Grigor is positive, ” said Djordje.
The weird part of it
However, despite Djordje’s words it is difficult not to notice that social distancing was completely absent. The stands were packed, a kid day was organized in a crowded square and wild parties were thrown in Belgrade.
As pointed by Brett Haber, a well-known commentator of Tennis Channel, common sense is something different than what is legally required to do. Let’s hope that this will not have repercussions on the tennis season.
Today’s events underscore the difference between what a group of people are “legally required to do” and what they “should do anyway because it’s wise and considerate”. The difference between those 2 stances may now eliminate the tennis season. @DjokerNole (Get well soon Grigor)
— Brett Haber (@BrettHaber) June 21, 2020
Novak Djokovic in 2020
At the moment ranked no.1, Novak played his last match on the 29th of February when he defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3 6-4 in the final in Dubai to win his 79th career title.
At the moment, this season Novak has a 18-0 win-loss record. Novak conquered 2 titles in 2020 at the Australian Open and in Dubai.
Grigor Dimitrov in 2020
Now the world no.19, Dimitrov played his last match on the 28th of February when he lost to Rafael Nadal 6-3 6-2 in the semifinal in Acapulco.
Grigor Dimitrov’s most significant result of the current season was getting to the semi-finals in Acapulco.
Novak Djokovic and Grigor Dimitrov played each other 10 times. The head to head is 9-1 for Djokovic. The last time that they competed against each other, Novak Djokovic won 7-65 6-4 in the semifinal in Paris (BNP Paribas Masters) in November 2019.
You can see them in action in the following highlights.