Dominic Thiem coronavirus: Tennis star releases statement on Novak Djokovic’s Adria Tour tournament

Dominic Thiem releases statement as coronavirus cases rock Novak Djokovic’s Adria tour exhibition event; admits it was wrong to organise and attend the event

Dominic Thiem has taken to Instagram to release a statement on the Adria Tour. He was one of several tennis stars invited by Novak Djokovic to participate in the event. The Tour started well, but ended in disaster, as multiple players and backroom staff have tested positive for the virus.

One of them is World no. 1 Djokovic himself. He tested positive on his arrival to Belgrade, along with this wife Jelena. His children tested negative, while his fitness coach got the bad news.

Dominic Thiem apologizes for Adria Tour

Dominic Thiem, who fortunately has tested negative after several tests, had his say on the fiasco.

“I was shocked when I got the news from the Adria Tour. We played without an audience for weeks so we have been more than happy about the fans at the event. We trusted the Serbian Government’s rules but we have been too optimistic. Our behavior was a mistake, we acted too euphorically. I am extremely sorry.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Dominic Thiem (@domithiem) on Jun 25, 2020 at 12:58am PDT

“I’ve now gotten tested five times within the last 10 days and the result was always negative. I wish everyone who has been infected all the best and a quick recovery.”

The tennis community has put the blame almost entirely on Novak Djokovic’s shoulder. He organized the event to getting his peers back to fitness after the long lockdown recess. But it has clearly backfired, with calls for his removal from the Player’s Council intensifying.

Amidst rising coronavirus cases, what lies ahead for Tennis in 2020?

It remains to be seen if Novak is indeed voted out as the President. More importantly, the focus has shifted to the US and French Opens. The world governing body has a tricky call to take on their resumption.

But more than tennis, it is imperative that all the players and backroom staff recover, and normalcy returns to their precious lives.

About the author

Subham Jindal

A Red - be it Manchester United or Ferrari. Hails from the hills of Kalimpong, Darjeeling. Aspiring to become a respected Sports Management professional.

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