- Novak Djokovic and Nikola Jokic tested positive yesterday for the COVID-19 virus.
- The No.1 tennis player in the world organized a tournament in Serbia and several countries in the neighborhood.
- Serbian government allowed spectators and mass gatherings prior to that, and is now under heavy criticism, after a new spike in infection cases.
Djokovic’s and Jokic have Coronavirus
Novak Djokovic revealed this Tuesday that he and his wife Jelena have COVID-19. The world No.1 and one of the best-ever players tested himself after coming back to Belgrade once receiving the news that other players who were participating at his tournament also caught the infection.
Borna Coric, Viktor Troicki, and Grigor Dimitrov have tested positive, and because of this, the entire tournament has been canceled, while Djokovic received numerous critics from all over the world.
“We’ve organized a tournament at the moment in which the virus apparently faded, believing that there would be enough circumstances for its occurrence.” Djokovic issued a statement. “I am terribly sorry for each individual case of infection. I am following the reports of the doctors and hoping that the number of infected won’t go up.”
Djokovic got permission from the authorities to organize this event, and at the time, he wasn’t receiving any special treatment. The Serbian government lifted all the bans and health measures, allowing mass gatherings and spectators at sports venues.
More than 25,000 spectators were attending soccer matches, and the political parties had their rallies before the election also. That is why the now face extreme criticism, especially PM Aleksandar Vucic, whose autocratic party won the boycotted elections this Sunday. Many are saying that Vucic allowed this in order to have the elections in the first place, creating a false image that the situation in Serbia is under control.
Two days after, he would bring back some of the measures, and the way it seems, Serbia could experience more rigid guidelines and protocols in the days to come.
Jokic Positive Also
Denver Nuggets’ superstar Nikola Jokic tested positive also. He is now unable to travel to the United States and join his Nuggets, who are about to start preparing for the NBA restart.
Jokic, who was visiting Djokovic last week and had a personal encounter with his compatriot and a great friend, was found positive for COVID-19 days before he came back to Colorado.
He now has to spend some time in self-isolation and needs to have at least two negative tests before being able to travel to Denver. He would need at least two weeks to recover, according to some of the health experts.
With 20.2 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 6.9 assists, Jokic was one of the best players in the league and the undisputed leader of the Nuggets. With 43 wins and 22 losses, his side is holding the third seed in the West and is one of the teams whose time is yet to come. Denver has a young team, filled with talent in all positions, with a lot of room for improvement.
