Novak Djokovic has tested positive for coronavirus after several players who participated in his charity tournament were also infected with the virus, the No. 1 ranked men’s tennis player announced Tuesday. Djokovic said months ago that he was opposed to a compulsory coronavirus vaccine as the virus crisis was unfolding.
In a statement, Djokovic said both he and his wife had tested positive for COVID-19, but their children’s results came out negative. According to the Associated Press, he organized the Adria Tour exhibition event in Serbia and Croatia, where social distancing measures weren’t observed at the matches. His decision to hold the matches drew ire because he brought players from different countries amid the pandemic.
“Everything we did in the past month, we did with a pure heart and sincere intentions,” Djokovic said. “Our tournament meant to unite and share a message of solidarity and compassion throughout the region.”
Djokovic said the tournament was done to raise funds for “people in need” and provide competitive tennis for up-and-coming tennis players from Southeastern Europe. He is the fourth player who competed in the charity event to test positive. Viktor Troicki, Grigor Dimitrov and Borna Coric also tested positive. The Adria Tour finale was cancelled on Sunday after Dimitrov announced he had the virus. He said he will be in self-isolation for the next 14 days and repeat the test in five days.
