Dominic Thiem apologizes for playing in Novak Djokovic's tennis event

Third-ranked tennis player Dominic Thiem apologized Thursday for taking part in an exhibition series hosted by vak Djokovic in which four players tested positive for coronavirus.

Thiem wrote on Instagram: “Our behaviour was a mistake, we acted too euphorically. I am extremely sorry.” top-ranked Djokovic tested positive on Tuesday. Grigor Dimitrov, Borna Coric and Viktor Troicki have also said y tested positive after taking part in Adria Tour exhibition series in Serbia and Croatia.

Thousands of spectators attended matches in Belgrade and Adriatic resort of Zadar, and social distancing was observed. Thiem won opening event in Belgrade on June 14.

“We played without an audience for weeks, so we have been more than happy about fans at event,” Austrian wrote. “We trusted Serbian government’s corona rules, but we have been too optimistic."

Thiem, a two-time French Open finalist who lost to Djokovic in Australian Open final this year, said he has been tested five times in last 10 days but is negative for virus.

final for event in Croatia was canceled and subsequent matches in or countries were also called off. Djokovic said on Tuesday that he and his wife tested positive and admitted it was “too soon” to host such an event.

coronavirus outbreak led to suspension of ATP and WTA professional tennis tours in March. Plans were anunced last week for sport’s sanctioned events to return in August.

But infections have raised questions about full-fledged return of competitive tennis, including U.S. Open, which is scheduled to begin on Aug. 31 without spectators. Djokovic has called rules to keep everyone safe at U.S. Open “extreme.”

(Photo Credit: AP)