Novak Djokovic, the men’s world No. 1 tennis player, has tested positive for Covid-19 after several other players on the Adria Tour contracted the disease.
The player’s team released a statement saying:
“Novak Djokovic tested positive for a virus COVID-19. Immediately upon his arrival in Belgrade Novak was tested along with all members of the family and the team with whom he was in Belgrade and Zadar. He is not showing any symptoms.
“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 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 coniditions for hosting the Tour had been met.
“Unfortunately the virus is still present, and it is a new reality that we are stil learning to cope and live with.
“I am hoping things will ease with time so we can all resume llves 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.”
Viktor Troicki reportedly yesterday became the fifth player on the Tour to report a positive infection.
In April, Djokovic had revealed he was an anti-vaxxer - and that it could get in the way of his return to competitive tennis once the sport resumes after the coronavirus pandemic.
Djokovic has become the latest tennis player to test positive for coronavirus after his Adria Tour which took place in the Balkans with zero social distancing.
The world number one organised the tennis event which took place in Belgrade, Serbia and Zadar, Croatia. Fans were able to freely mingle with players who also played basketball and danced in nightclubs.
Two members of Djokovic’s support staff along with players Grigor Dimitrov, Borna Coric and Victor Troicki have tested positive.
In a statement, the Serbian said that his wife, Jelena, also tested positive for COVID-19, but his children tested negative.
-Agencies
