Novak Djokovic had high hope for the Adria Tour. He wanted to gift the local crowd across the Balkans with his presence and the participation of other top players. Unfortunately, this event will be remembered as one of the most senseless exhibitions in tennis history. While all world was careful about not getting infected by the Coronavirus, Djokovic & C, embraced a series of events whose social distancing was totally disregarded. Tennis fans and people, in general, were baffled at seeing players hugging and dancing shirtless.
Things went from bad to worse after Grigor Dimitrov announced he tested positive back in Monaco after looking out of sorts in Zadar (Croatia). At that point, the other players and members of the various teams got tested. Borna Coric, Viktor Troicki, and his wife, Dimitrov’s coach, and Djokovic fitness trainer resulted infected. According to the local media, the virus spread in the community in Zadar, and a 5-year-old kid tested positive.
Djokovic testing positive
Novak decided to be tested only when back in Serbia and eventually he and his wife Jelena resulted positive.
This was Djokovic’s 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.”
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.
Presently, this year Novak has a 18-0 win-loss record. The Serbian conquered 2 titles in 2020 at the Australian Open and in Dubai.