Novak Djokovic, the world’s No. 1-ranked men’s tennis player, has tested positive for the coronavirus.
In a statement released by Djokovic, he said he and his wife have both contracted the virus after he organized a series of exhibition matches in southeastern Europe.
The events, called the Adria Tour, is being widely criticized for not maintaining significant social distancing protocols.
He is the fourth player to test positive after first playing in the Adria Tour in Belgrade, Serbia and then again last weekend in Zadar, Croatia.
The stands were packed with fans, as The Associated Press noted. Tennis.com reported that players were seen mingling without proper social distancing, playing in basketball and soccer games, and visiting a nightclub.
Here is the full statement released by Djokovic:
“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.
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.
The Tour has been designed to help both established and up and coming tennis players from South-Eastern Europe to gain access to some competitive tennis while the various tours are on hold due to the COVID-19 situation.
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 organized 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.
I am extremely sorry for each individual case of infection. I hope that it will not complicate anyone’s health situation and that everyone will be fine.
I will remain in self-isolation for the next 14 days, and repeat the test in five days.”
