Novak Djokovic tests positive for Covid-19

Hindustan Times | Byhindustantimes.com
Jun 23, 2020 06:29 PM IST

World No 1 tennis player Novak Djokovic has tested positive for Covid-19. The Serbian has issued a statement saying that he and his wife Jelena have tested positive but his children have tested negative.

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic is the latest tennis player to test positive for Covid-19. The news was confirmed through a statement, which said that the Serbian – who is asymptomatic, was tested along with all his family members with whom he was in Belgrade and Zadar. He recently took part in a tennis exhibition series he organised in Serbia and Croatia.

Novak Djokovic celebrates after his match against Croatia's Borna Coric REUTERS/Antonio Bronic(REUTERS)
Novak Djokovic celebrates after his match against Croatia's Borna Coric REUTERS/Antonio Bronic(REUTERS)

“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,” Djokovic said in a statement. 

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The top-ranked Serb is the fourth player to test positive for the virus after first playing in Belgrade and then again last weekend in Zadar, Croatia. His wife also tested positive. The other players who have tested positive are Grigor Dimitrov, Borna Coric and Viktor Troicki.

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“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,” Djokovic said in a statement.

Djokovic has been criticized for organizing the tournament and bringing in players from other countries amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Viktor Troicki said Tuesday that he and his pregnant wife have both been diagnosed with the virus, while Grigor Dimitrov, a three-time Grand Slam semifinalist from Bulgaria, said Sunday he tested positive. Borna Coric played Dimitrov on Saturday in Zadar and said Monday he has also tested positive.

There were no social distancing measures observed at the matches in either country.

“Everything we did in the past month, we did with a pure heart and sincere intentions,” Djokovic said. “Our tournament meant to unite and share a message of solidarity and compassion throughout the region.”

Djokovic, who has previously said he was against taking a vaccine for the virus even if it became mandatory to travel, was the face behind the Adria Tour, a series of exhibition events that started in the Serbian capital and then moved to Zadar.

He left Croatia after the final was canceled and was tested in Belgrade.

Despite the positive test, he defended the exhibition series.

“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,” Djokovic said. “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.”

Djokovic said he will remain in self-isolation for 14 days and also apologized to anyone who became infected as a result of the series.

(With inputs from Associated Press)

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