“I genuinely care about my fellow players” – Novak Djokovic clarifies ‘misconstrued’ quarantine demands

Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic found himself in the middle of a storm recently after he issued a letter with certain demands and suggestions directed at the chief of Tennis Australia, Craig Tiley about the players’ quarantine protocols in Australia. Very soon, he came under immense criticism with people branding him ‘selfish’ and stating that he was focusing only on himself amidst a global pandemic.

Djokovic is currently in Adelaide where he is isolating. The letter was sent to Tiley from Adelaide just a few hours after confirmation emerged about a plethora of positive COVID-19 cases in Melbourne where the Australian Open 2021 is scheduled to be held. The outbreak sent 72 players into isolation as well. Now, Djokovic has clarified his intentions in an emotionally worded post on his social media.

‘Couldn’t be farther from the truth’ – Djokovic

Djokovic began by stating as to how his well-intentioned words were wrongly branded as selfish. He said, “My good intentions for my fellow competitors in Melbourne have been misconstrued as being selfish, difficult and ungrateful. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. I genuinely care about my fellow players and understand very well how the world is run and who gets bigger and better and why. I’ve earned my privileges the hard way. Hence, I use my position of privilege to be of service as much as I can where and when needed.”

He then extended his appreciation to Craig Tiley and said, “I have always had a very good relationship with Craig and appreciate all the effort he puts into making the Australian Open a place to look forward to coming back to each year. In our email exchange I used an opportunity to brainstorm potential improvements that could be made in the quarantine of players in lockdown in Melbourne.”

He then clarified about the suggestions saying, “There were a few suggestions from our chat group and there was no harm intended to try and help. I was aware that the chances were low that any of our suggestions would be accepted, just like my request to quarantine with my team in Melbourne instead of Adelaide, was denied prior to our travel, due to strict government regulations.”

‘I am very sorry it has come to this’ – Djokovic

Djokovic continued about how the media had exaggerated his suggestions. “Things in the media escalated and there was a general impression that the players (myself included) are ungrateful, weak and selfish because of their unpleasant feelings in the quarantine. I am very sorry it has come to that because I do know how grateful many are.”

“I would like to express my full gratitude to Tennis Australia, the Australian government and local citizens for willing to take this risk with us for the love of the game and the multiple opportunities it brings to the economy of the country and its people,” the World No. 1 added.

“Not being able to train and compete before the tournament starts is really not easy. None of us ever questioned 14-day quarantine despite what is being said by media outlets. I am very much looking forward to playing in front of the people and joining the tennis frenzy and energy of the city that has always carried me towards many victories,” he signed off.

Also Read: Craig Tiley justifies the preferential treatment for top-players by calling it a ‘nature of business’