Novak Djokovic (Anadolu photo)
MANILA – The entire tennis community was rocked on Tuesday when world number one Novak Djokovic confirmed that he has just been affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
In a statement, the tennis superstar from Serbia said he and his wife Jelena have tested positive for Covid-19 as they returned to the capital city of Belgrade after his exhibition event, the Adria Tour in Zadar, Croatia over the weekend. Their children have tested negative, though.
The Adria Tour had a screeching halt when the finals were canceled after one of the supposed protagonists, Bulgarian tennister Grigor Dimitrov, tested positive for Covid-19.
Two more tennis players, Borna Coric of host country Croatia and Djokovic's compatriot Viktor Troicki also tested positive.
"I am extremely sorry for each individual case of infection," Djokovic stated. "I hope that it will not complicate anyone's health situation and that everyone will be fine."
With the number of people recovering from Covid-19 increasing especially in the Balkan region, Djokovic deemed that a special tournament would give tennis fans something to watch out for despite the pandemic.
"We organized the tournament at the moment when the virus has weakened, believing that the conditions for hosting the tour had been met," he said, adding that the tennis event was organized "with a pure heart and sincere intentions."
However, the Adria Tour became infamous for the infection of the players, including Djokovic.
"Unfortunately, this virus is still present and it is a new reality that we are still learning to cope with and live with," he said.
While noting that he is asymptomatic, Djokovic said he would undergo self-isolation for two weeks and get retested in five days. (PNA)
