Novak Djokovic, who tests positive for coronavirus, had eschewed safety guidelines
Novak Djokovic, the world’s top-ranked men’s tennis player, announced Tuesday he has tested positive for the coronavirus.
Djokovic had played matches recently in Serbia and Croatia. His wife, Jelena, also has the disease.
“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,” Djokovic said in a statement, per ABC News. “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.”
Djokovic had raised eyebrows with some of his actions and comments about the coronavirus in recent months.
In April, Djokovic said he didn’t want to take a COVID-19 vaccine if one is developed even if it was mandatory to play on the ATP. According to a New York Times story, Djokovic wanted to emphasize ”ways to help people boost immunity to combat the coronavirus and other illnesses.”
“I am curious about well-being and how we can empower our metabolism to be in the best shape to defend against impostors like COVID-19,” Djokovic had said, per the Times.
In May, Djokovic practiced at a tennis club in Spain despite a lockdown rule that was in effect.
Also, an Associated Press story noted Djokovic recently “complained about the U.S. Tennis Association’s plans to try to protect people from the virus during the U.S. Open with such measures as limiting the size of players’ entourages, going so far as to say he didn’t know whether he would go to the tournament in New York.”
This video shows Djokovic at a party recently:
It wasn’t the only time Djokovic had not been following social distance guidelines or worn a mask in public.
This is from a Tennis.com story: “During the first two legs of the Adria Tour, Djokovic and his fellow participants were seen mingling in close proximity on numerous occasions, opting not to adhere to social distancing. ... In Belgrade, (Grigor) Dimitrov was photographed guarding Djokovic closely on the basketball court, and the two joined the rest of the group for some fun on the soccer field.”
The Associated Press said Djokovic is the fourth player to test positive for the coronavirus after participating in the tennis matches. The others are Dimitrov, Borna Coric and Viktor Troicki.
This story was originally published June 23, 2020 at 9:52 AM.
