Serbian tennis player Viktor Troicki is the latest to contract the coronavirus a day after Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov and Croatia’s Borna Coric confirmed that they tested positive for COVID-19. All three players had participated in the Adria Tour exhibition event organised by Novak Djokovic.
The 34-year-old had entered Janko Tipsarevic’s Eastern European Championship tournament in Belgrade last week, but pulled out after learning that he and his wife tested positive. He said that their daughter tested negative.
With three confirmed cases, tennis governing bodies and players are concerned over attempts to restart the sport after shutdown imposed to contain the spread of COVID-19. The US Open main draw is scheduled to held from August 31 without spectators.
Dimitrov had confirmed that he tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday. Coric announced a day later that he too had tested positive. Both players took to social media to apologise for causing any harm and asked those who came in contact with them to get tested.
Other players who participated in the Adria Tour include world No. 3 Dominic Thiem, Croatia’s Marin Cilic and Germany’s Alexander Zverev. Russia’s Andrey Rublev, Cilic and Zverev have confirmed their tests came back negative, but they will follow self-isolation guidelines.
Djokovic, meanwhile, is at the receiving end of heavy criticism for organising the tennis charity tournament without following protocols. Fans took to social media to dub his actions as “irresponsible”. As per reports, the stands were packed and players were seen playing basketball and dancing together ignoring social distancing norms.
The world number one is expected to announce his own COVID-19 test results on Tuesday and address the media and public. Djokovic’s fitness coach Marco Panichi also tested positive, as per Serbian daily Sportski Zurnal.
Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios, too, called it a “bonehead decision” to hold the event without following rules with regard to distancing.
The ATP has urged “strict adherence to responsible social distancing”, while wishing those who tested positive at the event a speedy recovery.
(With inputs from agencies)
