Coronavirus: Novak Djokovic tests positive to COVID-19

Nick Kyrgios slams Novak Djokovic who tested positive amid calamitous fallout from an event the world No.1 organised.

Novak Djokovic and his wife Jelena have tested positive for coronavirus as the calamitous fallout from an exhibition tour he arranged in Europe worsened.

The eight-time Australian Open champion confirmed he had contracted the virus while defending the now infamous tour played in Serbia and Croatia that has resulted in several positive tests.

Grigor Dimitrov and Borna Coric tested positive on Monday, so too Viktor Troicki and his wife, along with other staff who were present on the opening weekend in Belgrade.

“Everything we did in the past month, we did with a pure heart and sincere intentions,” Djokovic said in a statement.

“Our tournament meant to unite and share a message of solidarity and compassion throughout the region.

“We organised 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.”

The 17-time major champion said funds raised from the exhibition event were to be directed towards people in need and that it “warmed my heart to see how everybody strongly responded to this”.

Alexander Zverev, Novak Djokovic, Grigor Dimitrov and Dominic Thiem after a press conference prior to their charity tournament in Belgrade. Picture: AP

But although Djokovic said the event was compliant with Serbian guidelines, there is evidence of social distancing breaches in footage and photographs from the tournament.

The stands were filled with fans, children posed at tight quarters with players for photographs, ball kids handled the sweaty towels of participants and the stars swapped hugs and high fives during matches.

Prayers up to all the players that have contracted Covid - 19. Don’t @ me for anything I’ve done that has been ‘irresponsible’ or classified as ‘stupidity’ - this takes the cake. https://t.co/lVligELgID

— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) June 23, 2020

At a post match celebration, they partied with their shirts off in raucous fashion at a Belgrade nightclub in another episode that raised concerns about the example being set.

Australian Nick Kyrgios was among several tour participants who described the scenes as boneheaded given various tennis authorities are aiming to restart the circuit in August.

As a result, the world No 1’s role as the ATP Players Council president has been called into question by players including American duo Noah Rubin and Mitchell Krueger.

Djokovic, 33, who earlier this year espoused anti-vaccination beliefs, had been due to play Russian Andrey Rubvlev in the final of the second leg of the Adria Tour in Croatia on Sunday.

Djokovic and wife Jelena. Picture: AP

But the event was abruptly cancelled after Dimitrov, an Australian Open semi-finalist, revealed he had fallen ill.

Djokovic’s coach Goran Ivanisevic was booed as he relayed the news to fans who had packed the stands for the second leg of the event.

There was consternation that as other players were being tested in Croatia – with Marin Cilic and Alexander Zverev among those who were negative to the virus – Djokovic and his family crossed borders without being examined. All players who participated in the tournament will now self-isolate for 14 days.

Given the proximity between fans and players, there are clear concerns about the prospect of the virus spreading further in the Croatian and Serbian communities.

“I am hoping things will ease with time so we can all resume lives the way they were,” Djokovic said.

“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.”