A No-Distancing Tour Amid a Pandemic. Novak Djokovic is Proving to be a Bad Ambassador for Tennis

Sports

A No-Distancing Tour Amid a Pandemic. Novak Djokovic is Proving to be a Bad Ambassador for Tennis

Novak-Djokovic
Illustration: Mitesh Parmar

Novak Djokovic might be the top-ranked tennis player in the world, but is proving to be a very bad ambassador for the sport after a debacle of a charity tour he organised became a Covid-19 hotspot. Djokovic’s Adria Tour, which was being held in Serbia and Croatia, had to be called off after four tennis players and two coaches tested positive for the new coronavirus. At a time when sport authorities across the world are hesitant to resume playing before fans, the Adria Tour was held with no social distancing guidelines followed, and a cavalier attitude toward the safety of participants and spectators amid the pandemic.

Out of the four players who tested positive, two have gone public with their diagnosis. They are Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria, ranked 19 worldwide, and Borna Coric of Croatia, ranked 33. Reports have emerged that despite the detection of multiple cases of Covid-19 at the tour, Djokovic refused to be tested right away, and left Zadar, Croatia, for his home in Belgrade, Serbia. He has reportedly taken a test now and is expected to announce the results today.

Djokovic’s dismissal of Covid-19 safety regulations was called into question even before the tournament. However, the World No 1 was nonchalant about concerns. “You can also criticise us and say this is maybe dangerous. But it’s not up to me to make the calls about what is right or wrong for health. We are doing what the Serbian government is telling us,” he said at the opening ceremony of the Adria Tour.

This seems in-character for Novak Djokovic, who has been known to have an anti-vaccination stance. In May, Djokovic came in for criticism after giving nutritionist Chervin Jefarieh a platform on his Instagram profile to endorse a product that claims to stimulate brain cell growth. These sessions featured Djokovic and the nutritionist spouting off pseudoscientific theories, including one where they stated it was possible to change the molecular composition of food and water through thoughts and emotions.

The Adria Tour will go down as an irresponsible and ill-timed event. Djokovic’s fellow players have also spoken out about the dangers of having held such an event.

Novak Djokovic has accrued many nicknames throughout his career, like Nole and Djoker, but after this, he might have to add covidiot to the list.

Sports
#

Arré Bench

The Arré bench delivers stories that mattress. It hasn't achieved much sofar. But it's getting bedder.

  •  
  •  

Did you like it?

Tell us what you think so we can give you more content you like :

Related Content

  • Sports Sorry Novak Djokovic, it’s Impossible to Defend you this time

    After his deportation from Australia, the world’s best tennis player, Novak Djokovic looks set to also miss the French Open. The Serb has not always been likeable, but in flouting Covid rules, and endangering others he has crossed a line from where his legend now seems irredeemable.

    Add to list
  • Sports Indian hockey’s redemption might also be the redemption of its conflicted soul

    Hockey isn’t for anyone, but it is for everyone willing to brave through the physical risks of the game as much as the structural obstacles of life, which makes it the sport that best embodies the country’s soul.

    Add to list
  • Sports Is IPL Living In Its Own Bubble?

    In the era of physical isolation, does a sporting event that brings people together need to mentally isolate itself from the devastation caused by the pandemic? As the country gasps for breath, it is too much to expect our cricketing heroes to amplify an SOS tweet or do something that shows they care – anything that’ll tone down the tone-deafness of the tournament.

    Add to list
  • AnkitaRaina Sports Tomorrow is a New Day for Indian Sports as Ankita Raina Makes Her Australian Open Debut

    India has a potential superstar in the making. Ankita Raina is set to make her maiden appearance at the Australian Open 2021, becoming only the fourth Indian woman tennis player in the Open era to secure a place in the main draw of a Grand Slam.

    Add to list
  • India-Australia Sports The Tale of the India-Australia Test Series Cannot Be Told in Statistics

    The scorecard can never do justice to the historic India vs Australia Test series we just witnessed. This is not the story about great tons and wickets, it’s a story of heroics and emotions – of Cheteshwar Pujara’s bruises, Mohammad Siraj’s tears, Hanuma Vihari’s hamstring, and Ajinkya Rahane’s grit.

    Add to list

Comments

en English
en Englishhi Hindi