Men’s World No 1 Novak Djokovic has revealed he has tested positive for Covid-19 – the highest-profile sports star to catch the virus.
The reigning Wimbledon and Australian Open champion were tested after arriving in Belgrade from Zadar, where his heavily criticised Adria Tour event recently took place.
Djokovic and his wife, Jelena, have both tested positive, while their children have tested negative. Croatian No 1 Borna Coric, Djokovic’s childhood friend Viktor Troicki and Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov had all previously tested positive.
Djokovic said: “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.
Top-ranked tennis star Novak Djokovic tests positive for the coronavirus after taking part in a tennis exhibition series he organized in Serbia and Croatia. Djokovic is the fourth player to test positive for the virus after playing in those exhibitions. https://t.co/F52tSUFiX5
— The Associated Press (@AP) June 23, 2020
“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 organised the tournament at the moment when the virus had weakened, believing that the conditions for 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.”
Djokovic was slammed by Nick Kyrgios and Dan Evans for hosting the Adria Tour and not observing strict social-distancing rules and even dancing topless in a nightclub.
