Novak apologises amid growing criticism
World number one Novak Djokovic was widely condemned on Wednesday for hosting a tennis exhibition where he was one of four players to test positive for the coronavirus, a lapse that sent shudders through a sport struggling to get back on its feet.
The Serbian star said he was "deeply sorry" in an unstinting apology for the now-cancelled Adria Tour, where social distancing was minimal and matches were played in front of thousands of fans.
However, criticism was swift and heavy, with many voicing concerns over attempts to restart professional tournaments in August, including the US Open Grand Slam is which is scheduled to begin on August 31.
Djokovic, Grigor Dimitrov, Borna Coric and Viktor Troicki all tested positive after taking part in the Adria Tour, where players embraced across the net, played basketball and even danced in a nightclub.
"I am so deeply sorry our tournament has caused harm," Djokovic, 33, said in a statement.
His wife Jelena also tested positive after attending the "philanthropic" tour in the once war-torn Balkans.
As the mocking hashtag #Djokovid circulated online, Australia's Nick Kyrgios, so often in the crosshairs for his own on-court indiscretions, said the incident was pure "stupidity".
"Don't @ me for anything I've done that has been 'irresponsible' or classified as 'stupidity' -- this takes the cake," tweeted the world number 40.
Britain's Andy Murray, a three-time Grand Slam winner who has known Djokovic since their junior days, told reporters: "I don't think it has been a great look for tennis. In hindsight, it's not something that should have gone ahead. It's not surprising how many people have tested positive after seeing some of the images of the players' party and the kids' day. There was no social distancing in place.
"Some people have said maybe this has put the US Open in doubt –- which it may well do. But the measures and the protocols they have in place at the USTA are different to Serbia and Croatia. No fans for a start."
Djokovic is unbeaten this year, a run that includes winning his 17th Grand Slam at the Australian Open, but the pandemic has been a public relations disaster for the eccentric Serb. Even before the Adria Tour, he was criticised for breaking lockdown rules to train in Spain, and he then raised eyebrows by insisting he wouldn't be prepared to vaccinate against the coronavirus.
Djokovic also described limits on players' entourages at the US Open as "extreme" and "impossible", again putting him at odds with public opinion.
"I think there's a lot of his peer group who are scratching their heads," celebrated coach Paul Annacone told Tennis.com. "I was anxiety-ridden and very disappointed because the restart, or the reimagining of how we can start is about eight weeks away. And with all these opportunities to try to start in a progression, to me, it felt like they skipped about 15 steps."
Martina Navratilova, who won 18 Grand Slam singles titles, tweeted: "Yikes... this is not good and it's a pattern... What now, US Open? Roland Garros? We have a lot of work to do."
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