Djokovic: "I am so deeply sorry our tournament has caused harm. Everything the organisers and I did the past month, we did with a pure heart and sincere intentions"
Tuesday 23 June 2020 21:08, UK
Novak Djokovic has apologised and admitted he was wrong to organise the Adria Tour events in Serbia and Croatia after becoming one of four players to test positive for coronavirus.
The world No 1 was the face behind the Adria Tour, a series of exhibition events that started in the Serbian capital, Belgrade, and then moved to Zadar, Croatia, last weekend.
He left Croatia after the final was cancelled and was tested in Belgrade, with that test now returning a positive result.
In a statement, Djokovic said he and his wife Jelena, who also tested positive, are currently asymptomatic and will self-isolate.
Djokovic said: "I am so deeply sorry our tournament has caused harm. Everything the organisers and I did the past month, we did with a pure heart and sincere intentions.
"We believed the tournament met all health protocols and the health of our region seemed in good conditions to finally unite people for philanthropic reasons.
"We were wrong and it was too soon. I can't express enough how sorry I am for this and every case of infection."
Grigor Dimitrov also tested positive for the virus, while Borna Coric - who played the Bulgarian on Saturday in Zadar - later confirmed that he too has tested positive.
The second event of a series of tournaments was held in Croatia, which eased lockdown rules and meant players did not have to socially distance with players hugging at the net, playing basketball, posing for pictures and attending press conferences together.
Djokovic added: "The tour has been designed to help both established and up and coming tennis players from southeastern Europe to gain access to some competitive tennis while the various tours are on hold due to the Covid-19 situation.
I am so deeply sorry our tournament has caused harm. Everything the organisers and I did the past month, we did with a pure heart and sincere intentions.
"It was all born with a philanthropic idea, to direct all raised funds towards people in need and it warmed my heart to see how everybody strongly responded to this.
"We organised the tournament at the moment when the virus has weakened, believing that the conditions for hosting the tour had been met.
"Unfortunately, this virus is still present, and it is a new reality that we are still learning to cope and live with.
"I am hoping things will ease with time so we can all resume lives the way they were."
Several players have been outspoken in their criticism of the events, with Nick Kyrgios calling it a "boneheaded decision" to play and Dan Evans saying: "I think it's a poor example to set even if the guidelines in that country are not two metres, it's not a joke, is it?
"Even if the guidelines were taken away in this country to normal I will still be trying to keep myself out the way as much as I could from other people."
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