The parents of the world’s number 1, Novak Djokovic, are not about to let their son fall in love with the recent increase in coronavirus cases in the tennis community.
Djokovic confirmed on Tuesday that he and his wife tested positive after returning to Serbia from the Adria Tour’s second stop in Zadar, Croatia, which was canceled on Sunday after several players and coaches contracted the disease.
NICK KYRGIOS RIPS NOVAK DJOKOVIC FOR BEING ‘IRRESPONSIBLE’ AFTER TESTING POSITIVE FOR CORONAVIRUSES
“We organized the tournament at the time the virus weakened, believing that the conditions for organizing the Tour had been met. Unfortunately, the virus is still present, and it is a new reality that we are still learning to cope with and live with, “Djokovic said in a statement.
The Serbian tennis star was criticized on social media for the lack of social distance and crowded stands. Australian tennis pro Nick Kyrgios even called him “irresponsible” for organizing the charity event.
But Djokovic’s parents say it is not his fault.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC POSITIVE TESTING FOR CORONAVIRUS AFTER CONDUCTING A TENNIS EVENT WHERE SEVERAL OTHERS HAVE ALSO CONTRACTED DISEASE
“Why did it happen? Because that man probably got sick, who knows where,” Srdjan Djokovic told RTL Croatia TV of Grigor Dimitrov, a three-time Grand Slam semi-finalist from Bulgaria who was the first to test positive.
“He didn’t try here, he tried somewhere else … I think that’s not fair.
“He inflicted damage on both Croatia and us as a family in Serbia,” continued Srdjan Djokovic. “No one feels good about this situation.”
Dimitrov tested positive on Sunday, prompting the ending to be canceled. On Monday, World No. 33 Borna Coric, ATP pro Viktor Troicki and his wife and a couple of coaches also tested positive.
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“Everything we did in the past month, we did with a pure heart and sincere intent,” Djokovic said Tuesday. “Our tournament was intended to unite and share a message of solidarity and compassion throughout the region.”
There is no evidence to suggest that Dimitrov spreads the virus to others.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
