Novak Djokovic's parents defend him amid Adria Tour controversy, pin blame on Dimitrov

Novak Djokovic’s parents defended ir son on Wednesday and blamed anor tennis player for spreing  Coronavirus at a series of exhibition matches hosted by top-ranked player. Djokovic and his wife tested positive for virus on Tuesday. 17-time Grand Slam champion n apologised online for organising ria Tour events, which brought toger professional players from various countries to play matches in Serbia and Croatia.

Thousands of spectators attended matches and no social distancing was observed. Djokovic’s outspoken far blamed cancellation of tour on Grigor Dimitrov, one of three or players to test positive in last few days. re is no evidence to suggest Dimitrov spre virus to ors.

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'Nobody is feeling well'

"Why did it happen? Because that man probably came sick, who knows from where,” Srdjan Djokovic told RTL Croatia TV. “He didn’t test here, he tested somewhere else ... I think that’s not fair. He inflicted damage to both Croatia and to us as a family in Serbia,” Srdjan Djokovic said. “Nobody is feeling well because of this situation.”

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Dimitrov, a three-time Grand Slam semifinalist from Bulgaria, was first ria Tour participant to test positive for virus. He was followed by Borna Coric and Viktor Troicki. infections raised questions about full-fledged return of competitive tennis, including scheduled U.S. Open in August. "We were wrong and it was too soon,” wrote Djokovic, who has previously said he was against taking a vaccine for virus even if it became mandatory to travel.

Dimitrov played in matches in both Belgre and at Croatian riatic resort of Zar. He reportedly arrived in Serbia from United States and his native Bulgaria. He did not immediately respond to requests for comment while recovering from infection in Monaco. NBA player Nikola Jokic, a Serb who plays for Denver Nuggets, has also tested positive for coronavirus. He was pictured shaking hands with Djokovic at an exhibition basketball event in Belgre this month. Jokic is reportedly recovering in his hometown of Sombor.

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Djokovic’s mor said both her son and his wife Jelena are feeling fine, but are suffering because of widespre criticism. "It is horrible what is being written, but we are used to it,” Dijana Djokovic told  Belgre Blic newspaper. coronavirus outbreak led to suspension of ATP and WTA professional tennis tours in March. Plans were announced last week for sport’s sanctioned events to return in August. U.S. Open is scheduled to begin August 31 without spectators.

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