Opinion: Reckless Novak Djokovic paying the ultimate price for his vanity project

A sceptical jury was already considering their verdict on Novak Djokovic’s controversial Adria Tour and now their judgement will be damning, with the world No 1 caught in the eye of a storm he decided to create.
As what became the almost inevitable confirmation that the reigning Wimbledon champion had contracted Covid-19 during the first two legs of his ill-judged travelling tennis tour, sympathy for Djokovic’s plight will be in short supply.
The superstar who planted himself front and centre of the publicity machine behind Adria Tour revelled in the adulation that flowed in his direction as he played in front of his home fans in Serbia earlier this month, with Djokovic’s pulling power ensuring some of the world’s top players join him to play and event in the Balkans that attracted television broadcasting deals and major sponsorship agreements.
The mission to raise money for charities may have been heartfelt, but the sight vast crowds packing the stands at a time when world sport is trying to return behind-closed-doors raised eyebrows aplenty and that was only the start of the arrogant disregard for the health and safety of those taking part.
Images of Djokovic draped around his fellow competitors as they partied in nightclubs after the first event in Serbia left a lasting impression that the tournament’s curator felt coronavirus was a pandemic he was immune to catching, with that viewed backed up by his own comments several weeks ago.
Novak’s claim that he would not accept vaccination against the virus couple with an infamous Instagram post from his wife Jelena – who has also tested positive for Covid-19 – promoting the ludicrous conspiracy theory that the virus was spawned from China’s 5G phone towers left the impression that the Djokovic clan were refusing to join the world in accepting the severity of the pandemic and now they have taken their PR disaster to dangerous levels.
Daha 1-2 hafta önce şöyle bir parti düzenleyen Novak Djokovic virüse yakalandıktan sonra korona hala maaalesef mevcut demiş. Günaydın keşke tüm uyarılara kulak tıkamasaydın da böyle bir olay yaşanmasaydı pic.twitter.com/LPUlT6qAvX
— NadaLebron #Tenis (@vamosrafaaaa) June 23, 2020
“It was born with a philanthropic idea, to direct all raised funds towards people in need and it warmed my heart to see how everybody strongly responded,” claimed Djokovic as he tried to defend the Adria Tour in his statement confirming his positive test. “We organized the tournament when the virus has weakened, believing the conditions for hosting the Tour had been met.”
It was a lame apology statement, but the truth is no excuse can justify the scandal Djokovic has overseen here.
His position as President of the ATP’s Players Council appears untenable after an event that has caused lasting damage to the sport he claims to have been promoting, with his message of apology as he confirmed his positive test counting as this was a calamity that should never have come to pass.
Doubts over whether the US Open can go ahead as scheduled in late August are now certain to be aired, with Djokovic’s shocking disregard for the danger he was placing all involved in the Adria Tour impossible to overlook at a time when this virus continues to rip through the world with violent abandon.
While we wish Djokovic and his wife well in their respective recoveries, but Novak’s decision to treat Covid-19 with contempt has come back to haunt him and the tennis family should not forget the stain his reckless actions have left on the sport.
Follow Kevin Palmer on Twitter @RealKevinPalmer
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official.
Latest
-
News
Andy Murray set for Rotterdam second-round clash with world No 8 Andrey Rublev
Murray and Rublev’s only other meeting was in 2017.
-
ATP Tour
Novak Djokovic unlikely to return to action before clay season as there ‘is no need to take any risks’
Novak Djokovic unlikely to feature at the Miami Open.
-
Tennis Top 10
Top 10 oldest No 1 ATP players: Novak Djokovic now the second oldest No 1, but will he catch Roger Federer?
Roger Federer currently holds the record.
-
Australian Open
Goran Ivanisevic slams media for ‘thrashing’ Novak Djokovic, rating 2021 Australian Open as his ‘sweetest’
Goran Ivanisevic takes aim at the media.
-
WTA Tour
Ashleigh Barty pulls out of Dubai tournament, but hopes to defend Miami Open title
Ashleigh Barty won’t be travelling to the Middle East.
-
ATP Tour
Roger Federer to skip Miami Open as he opts to ‘slowly work his way back’ following injury
Roger Federer won’t feature at the Miami Open.
-
ATP Tour
‘I’m playing for my career’ – Honest Andy Murray admits retirement question is lingering
Andy Murray fought back to beat Robin Haase in Rotterdam.
-
News
Andy Murray hits back to win first round match against Robin Haase in Rotterdam
The former world No 1 finished strongly.
-
ATP Tour
Battling Andy Murray shows his old fighting spirit to beat Robin Haase in Rotterdam
Andy Murray fought back from a set down.
-
ATP Tour
Daniil Medvedev closing in on career milestone as he returns to action this week
Daniil Medvedev hits the top two in ATP Rankings.