Djokovic "deeply sorry" after he and multiple tennis players get coronavirus

Jun 23 2020, 7:28 pm

Novak Djokovic says he’s “deeply sorry” and is praying for “everyone’s full recovery” after he and other players contracted COVID-19 at an exhibition tennis tournament he hosted in Serbia.

Djokovic’s tournament took place in Belgrade with fans in attendance, and without social distancing protocols or mask-wearing for players or spectators. Making matters worse, the tournament hosted an after-party at what looks like a nightclub.

The 19th-ranked player on the ATP Tour, Grigor Dimitrov, along with Borna Coric (33) and Viktor Troicki (184), participated in the tournament and have since announced they have tested positive for the virus. Djokovic, who is the No. 1 ranked player in the world, said he and his wife also tested positive.

The remainder of the tournament, known as the “Adria Tour,” has been cancelled.

“I am so deeply sorry our tournament has caused harm,” Djokovic said in a statement posted to social media. “Everything the organizers and I did the past month, we did with a pure heart and sincere intentions. We believed the tournament met all health protocols and the health of our region seemed in good condition to finally unite people for philanthropic reasons.

“We were wrong and it was too soon. I can’t express enough how sorry I am for this and every case of infection.”

Djokovic says he and his wife will now self-isolate for the next 14 days and get retested in five days. He has advised anyone that attended the tournament or were around attendees to get tested and practice physical distancing.

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