World no. 1 in men’s tennis contracts coronavirus

ANKARA

The world number 1 in men’s tennis, Serbia’s Novak Djokovic, has been diagnosed with coronavirus.

Djokovic announced on Tuesday that he is asymptomatic and that his wife also tested positive for COVID-19.

''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,'' he said in a statement.

''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,'' he added.

Djokovic and his family decided to take the tests after they returned to Belgrade from the Zadar city of Croatia where The Adria Tour 2020, a regional charity tennis tournament, took place.

The Adria Tour 2020, organized by Djokovic, is a charity tennis exhibition series which was started in June 12 but cancelled on Monday since the Bulgarian tennis player Grigor Dimitrov tested positive for coronavirus.

Djokovic said the tournament started when the spread of the coronavirus slowed down and the all conditions were already met to host the competition.

“We organized the tournament at a moment when the virus has weakened, believing that the conditions for hosting the Tour had been met,” he said.

“Unfortunately, this virus is still present, and it is a new reality that we are still learning to cope and live with.”

Currently ranked number 1 in men’s single tennis, Djokovic, 33, has won 17 Grand Slam singles titles during his career.