Djokovic had organized the event to keep players fit during the pandemic shutdownGETTY IMAGES
Novak Djokovic has tested positive for coronavirus, becoming the latest player featured on the "ill-advised Adria Tour last week" to contract the virus, according to Jack de Menezes of the London INDEPENDENT. Djokovic’s positive test follows similar results for ATP players Grigor Dimitrov, Borna Coric and Viktor Troicki, who "all played at events last week and joined each other in games of football, basketball and on nights out." The Adria Tour has conducted several events "without any social distancing protocols and with full stadiums in Croatia." Djokovic organised the event to take place in Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro and Bosnia, although the Montenegrin government "stepped in to cancel their event and next weekend's two-day affair in the Bosnian city of Banja Luka is now certain to be abandoned too." Djokovic "stressed that he organised the event 'with a pure heart' to keep players in South-Eastern Europe match fit while global tennis is on hold due to the pandemic." However, his actions have "attracted significant criticism for aiding the cross-border spread of Covid-19" (London INDEPENDENT, 6/23).
WIDESPREAD BACKLASH: In N.Y., Christopher Clarey writes the "response over the lack of social distancing" among those playing the Adria Tour among some in the tennis community "has been swift and severe." Even before the positive tests, there was "concern about the optics of full stadiums and partying players with so many still suffering worldwide" (N.Y. TIMES, 6/23). THE AUSTRALIAN's Courtney Walsh reports Nick Kyrgios is among several ATP players "who described the scenes as boneheaded given various tennis authorities are aiming to restart the circuit in August." Djokovic serves as ATP Players Council President, but that "has been called into question by players" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 6/23). WFAN's Gregg Giannotti said Djokovic had been inferring it is "impossible to play with all these safety measures” at the U.S. Open. Giannotti: “He was basically saying there are ‘too many rules, this is ridiculous,’ that type of thing. Not like we shouldn't play because it's dangerous; he’s been on the other end of this thing” (“Boomer & Gio,” WFAN, 6/23).
SETTING A BAD EXAMPLE: Tennis Channel's Jon Wertheim noted "just how avoidable" the positive tests were and said, "It’s very disappointing when the No. 1 player in the world quite recklessly oversaw this exhibition that has resulted in positive tests. This has not gone over well with a number of players, quite understandably.” Tennis Channel's Lindsay Davenport said, “It’s a terrible precedent that unfortunately was set.” Davenport: “We were shocked by what we saw on the court (and) even more shocking to all of us Sunday night seeing them with their shirts off, dancing, sweating and really partying.” Tennis Channel's Chanda Rubin: "This looked willful. This looked deliberate, that we’re not thinking that we have to abide by any of things that affects every other event. ... This should be a wake-up call” ("Tennis Channel Live," Tennis Channel, 6/22).
ATP DETAILS COVID PROTOCOLS: TENNIS.com's Matt Cronin cited a Marca report as saying that the ATP has given players a "description of the coronavirus protocols that tournaments will be implementing when its tour restarts, including rules around testing and taking of temperatures," with the protocols to "go into effect" starting in DC, where the men's tour is scheduled to resume for the first time since shutting down three and a half months ago. The Spanish newspaper said that players and team members "will undergo testing and have their temperature recorded when they arrive on site." Any player who tests positive or has a temperature "will be placed in isolation, which would prevent them from taking part in the competition." In addition, the positive player's team members and "others at the tournament with whom they have been in contact with will undergo testing every two days and have their temperatures taken every day." Numbers on site at ATP events also will be "significantly reduced -- players will be allowed only two team members, along with only essential tournament personnel, ATP reps and anti-doping and anti-corruption officials" (TENNIS.com, 6/22).
