Novak Djokovic is set to be tested in Belgrade. (Source: USATODAY)
After news of Grigor Dimitrov and Borna Coric testing positive for Covid-19 emerged, World No.1 Novak Djokovic is on the radar after his fitness coach tested positive for the virus.
The 33-year-old Serbian had been conducting the highly-criticised Adria Tour — which concluded its first leg in Belgrade recently — but now because of the tournament, competing players have found themselves at risk.
Dimitrov was the first to reveal that he had tested positive for the virus, saying, “I want to reach out and let my fans and friends know that I tested positive for Covid-19. I am so sorry for any harm I might have caused.” On Monday, Coric, ranked No. 33 in the world, revealed on Twitter that he had tested positive for COVID-19.
Now, Djokovic’s fitness coach Marco Panichi has also tested positive for the virus, according to Serbian daily Sportski Zurnal, quoting Croatia’s health institute. Even Kristijan Groh, Dimitrov’s coach, has produced a positive result.
The tennis fraternity has hit out at the hosting of the Adria Tour, with players like Nick Kyrgios, Andy Roddick tweeting their displeasure.
🤦🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️ Boneheaded decision to go ahead with the ‘exhibition’ speedy recovery fellas, but that’s what happens when you disregard all protocols. This IS NOT A JOKE. https://t.co/SUdxfijkbK
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) June 22, 2020
Hoping Grigor will get through this without a hiccup but just questions the “risks” I brought up last week and qualms I had about the whole tour itself pic.twitter.com/nsa7r5qZDO
— Noah Rubin (@Noahrubin33) June 21, 2020
Apparently there’s a pandemic ……..
— andyroddick (@andyroddick) June 21, 2020
While watching images from the Adria Tour, I kind of felt that something was really wrong… Am I the only one ? Is it a consequence of it ?
Get better soon Grigor 🙏 https://t.co/GKfouQ5hwF— Alize Cornet (@alizecornet) June 21, 2020
Stellar leadership 😂 #ifyouknowyouknow
— Mitchell Krueger (@mitch_krueger) June 21, 2020
Don’t need the 20-20 hindsight of Grigor Dimitrov’s positive COVID-19 test, to say that Novak Djokovic had — at very best — a reckless attitude to the pandemic at his tournament in Belgrade last week. pic.twitter.com/a6JklCfXm1
— Ali Walker (@AliWalker24) June 21, 2020
Djokovic’s charity event, which had large crowds without masks, was earlier defended by him. “I know there have been some criticisms, especially from the West: ‘Why do we have a crowd? Why not having social distancing?’ But, it’s hard to explain to people that the situation is really different maybe in America or the UK than it is in Serbia or surrounding countries,” he said.
The tour has faced criticism for flouting social distancing rules as players were seen hugging, shaking hands during matches, and also partying at a night club.
Nightlife in Belgrade with Djokovic, Thiem, Zverev, Dimitrov, Serbian players.. 😁🔥🥳
Video: @hotsportsrb pic.twitter.com/Rf3gURzHng— THE JOKER(S) 🃏🇷🇸 (@NBASerbians) June 15, 2020
Soon after the news of Dimitrov, Djokovic’s coach Goran Ivanisevic announced that the final of the Adria Tour in Zadar, Croatia was cancelled until further notice.
Now, players like Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev have to get tested to ensure whether they have contracted the virus which has claimed more than 467,000 lives worldwide. Meanwhile, the organisers of the US Open — scheduled to be held from August 31 in front of empty stands — have a new headache to worry about.