After a successful start of the Adria Tour in Belgrade, things got sideways after 4 key people involved in the event have been found positive to the Coronavirus. Grigor Dimitrov, Borna Coric, Dimitrov’s coach and Djokovic fitness trainer resulted infected and the tour had to be halted.
In sharp contrast with the festive mood showed in Belgrade and the very first days in Zadar, all tennis players and their teams got tested in Croatia with the notable exception of Djokovic.
Pretty much every relevant player aside from Djokovic was pictured waiting to be tested last night. Marin Cilic, Borna Coric, Alexander Zverev, Donna Vekic, Andrey Rublev, Djordje Djokovic. [Luka Gerlanc / Cropix]https://t.co/KeDBmfEpGF pic.twitter.com/kyNMEUBNIR
— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) June 22, 2020
Taking responsibility
It was nice to notice that many players involved took full responsibility for their actions as follows.
Zverev
Sascha looked extremely “active” during the tour. Social media was stunned seeing him having fun (and shirtless) during a players’ party in Belgrade. Fortunately, Sascha tested negative to Covid-19, but he apologized to everyone with his actions as per the following statement.
“I have just received the news that my team and I have tested negative for COVID-19.I deeply apologize to anyone that I have potentially put at risk by playing this tour. I will proceed to follow the self-isolating guidelines advised by our doctors. As an added precaution, my team and I will continue with regular testing. I wish everyone who has tested positive a speedy recovery. Stay safe”
Djokovic needs to take responsibility along with all the other players who participated in this for some cash in the middle of a global pandemic. Reckless idiots…
Cancel USO ASAPpic.twitter.com/C6hc9xUFyS
— Grigor. (@Scores_WTA) June 21, 2020
Coric
Borna was found positive to the Coronavirus. The Croatian was caught on video explaining a baffled Dimitrov that things were fine as the country observed the lockdown. After found positive, Borna apologized as follows.
“Hi everyone, I wanted to inform you all that I tested positive for Covid-19.I want to make sure anyone who has been in contact with me during the last few days gets tested! I am really sorry for any harm I might have caused! I’m feeling well and don’t have any simptoms. Please stay safe and healthy!
Lots of love to all!”
“This is crazy.” Dimitrov expressed his concern before testing positive
Rublev
Andrey tested negative. However, he also decided to self-isolate to release the following statement.
“What is happening in the world now is our responsibility. This is a global problem and it affects all of us. We need to all help reduce the spreading of this virus. So I am going to self quarantine for the next 14 days. Thank you for your support.”
Dimitrov
Grigor was the first one to have been found positive, but this doesn’t mean that he was the one to spread the virus in the tour. Gri,gor also apologized as below.
“Hi Everyone. I want to reach out and let my fans and friends know that I tested positive back in Monaco for Covid-19. I want to make sure anyone who has been in contact with me during these past days gets tested and takes the necessary precautions. I am so sorry for any harm I might have caused. I am back home now and recovering.”
Djokovic
Novak was the guy that has promoted and de facto organized the Adria Tour. He was already criticized for the complete lack of social distancing measures. According to reports, the world no.1 refused to have a test in Croatia. He had a test later in Serbia. The social media community remained baffled also for the fact that until this moment he didn’t release any comment. Hoping that he and his family will stay safe, we are waiting for his statement.
Alexander Zverev in 2020
Ranked world no.7, Zverev played his last match on the 26th of February when he capitulated to Tommy Paul 6-3 6-4 in the 2nd round in Acapulco.
Alexander Zverev’s best accomplishment of the current year was reaching the semi-finals at the Australian Open.
Borna Coric in 2020
Now the world no.33, Borna played his last match on the 23rd of February when he was defeated by Christian Garin 6-4 7-5 in the semifinal in Rio De Janeiro.
Borna Coric’s most significant performance of the current season was reaching the semi-finals in Rio de Janeiro.
Alexander Zverev and Borna Coric played each other 4 times. The head to head is 3-1 for Coric. The last time that they squared off, Borna Coric won 6-1 6-4 in the 1st round in Halle (Gerry Weber Open) in June 2018.
Andrey Rublev in 2020
Currently the world no.14 (career-high), Andrey played his last match on the 27th of February when he surrendered to Daniel Evans 6-2 7-69 in the quarter in Dubai.
At present, this year the Russian has a 15-3 win-loss record. Rublev clinched 2 titles in 2020 in Doha and in Adelaide.
Novak Djokovic in 2020
At the moment ranked no.1, Novak played his last match on the 29th of February when he beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3 6-4 in the final in Dubai to win his 79th career title.
This season Djokovic has a 18-0 win-loss record. Djokovic has won 2 titles in 2020 at the Australian Open and in Dubai.
Andrey Rublev and Novak Djokovic have never played each other.
Adria Tour players (Djokovic, Zverev, Dimitrov, Rublev, Coric) and Zadar event director Ivanisevic during today’s basketball game. 📷SportKlub pic.twitter.com/CttkGzrHnB
— Michal Samulski (@MichalSamulski) June 18, 2020
Featured picture copyright: SportKlub
