MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Novak Djokovic, the world’s first number, on Wednesday slammed criticism of his letter to Craig Tiley, head of the Australian Open, in which he proposed easing quarantine restrictions and saying he had good intentions has been misinterpreted.
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A total of 72 players have been restricted to their hotel rooms for 14 days and will not be able to train for the Australian Open from 8 to 21 February, after passengers on three charter flights transporting them to Melbourne tested positive for the new coronavirus.
Djokovic reportedly called for a reduced period of isolation and that players be placed in harsh quarantine to move to ‘private homes with tennis courts’, which drew a backlash from Australians.
Tiley confirmed that these were proposals and not demands.
“My good intentions for my rivals in Melbourne have been misinterpreted as selfish, difficult and ungrateful,” the Serb, who is isolating himself in Adelaide and other top players, said in a lengthy statement.
‘It can not be further from the truth.
“… sometimes when I see the aftermath of things, I tend to ask myself if I should just sit back and enjoy my benefits instead of paying attention to others’ struggles.”
Video: Australia rules out special Covid-19 quarantine for open tennis stars (NBC News)
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FOLLOWING
Tennis coach Daniel Vallverdu told Reuters that players in hard quarantine should receive preferential treatment from organizers such as the first practice times and matches planned in the cooler hours of the day.
Djokovic, who last year chaired the ATP Players ‘Council to launch a breakaway players’ body, won an eighth Australian Open title in Melbourne in 2020.
Former Australian Davis Cup player Sam Groth accuses Djokovic of the letter as a “selfish political move”, while Nick Kyrgios calls the Serb an “instrument”.
Djokovic said he “really” cares about teammates.
‘I earned my privileges the hard way … it’s very difficult for me to be a mere spectator to know how much every help, gesture and kind word matters to me when I’m small and insignificant in the world’s order was, “he said.
“That’s why I use my privilege to be of service as much as possible where and when needed.”
Djokovic also thanked the organizers TA, the Australian Government and the citizens for allowing the players to compete in the midst of the pandemic.
“Things in the media increased and there was a general impression that the players (including myself) are ungrateful, weak and selfish because of their unpleasant feelings in quarantine,” he added.
“I’m very sorry it came to that because I know how grateful it is a lot. We all came to Australia to compete. It’s really not easy not to practice and prepare before the tournament starts.
“None of us questioned 14 days of quarantine, despite what was said by media.”
(Reporting by Sudipto Ganguly in Mumbai; Edited by Ken Ferris and Christian Radnedge)
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