“Djokovic was trying to do the right thing” Croft speaks out on Nick Kyrgios’ Adria Tour criticisms

Recently, Novak Djokovic organised an exhibition tournament called the ‘Adria Tour’ a few months back in Belgrade, which for all bad reasons became the spotlight of the tennis world.

Capacity crowds and pictures of the players partying together prompted criticisms for a lack of social distancing safeguards. Several players including Djokovic then tested positive for coronavirus.

The Tour was canceled with immediate effect. Djokovic has come in for strong criticism ever since, for his involvement in the exhibition tournament. Former British No. 1 Annabel Croft recently talked to radio talkSPORT where she spoke about the Djokovic criticisms.

“I believe he was trying to do the right thing. He was trying to put tennis back in front of the public and at that time Serbia wasn’t having a lot of cases. But I think it was some of the stuff that went out on social media [that turned people against him] where he was dancing in a nightclub, they were taking their shirts off and hugging, and on-court they were hugging and greeting each other.” Croft said.

”Then, of course, things got bad, some of the players tested positive and he himself came down with it with his wife. But I do believe he was trying to do it from the right place. He had been advised by the Government in Serbia that it was OK to go ahead. But of course, he really took the wrap and it hasn’t done him a whole lot of good, publicly.” Croft further added.

Croft has lost respect for Kyrgios

Croft, now a journalist working with Eurosport and Sky Sports also spoke about the Australian Nick Kyrgios. Kyrgios has been very active on Twitter in recent weeks having spats with current and former players.

“He has a moral position and is incredibly loud,” said the Brit, about the Australian. 

“I would go so far as to say that in some tweets he was incredibly rude and malicious towards a lot of tennis players. He attacked Djokovic, Thiem, and Coric. After some of his actions, I’m not inclined to respect him for what he does.” Croft added.

Kyrgios announced over the weekend that he would not play in the US Open. He did this by posting a two-minute video online. 

“I do not know where he got this statement and where it is now. But I understand that Australia is very bad now. There is isolation and a curfew, so maybe he wanted to do it from the Australian fans’ point of view.” Croft said.

“He is very honest and does things that arouse great interest. He’s kind of turned into a bad guy, pantomime villain, and now this moral stance as well … As for the way he does his business on the court, I don’t respect him as a human so it’s hard for me to hear him make statements,” she concluded.

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