Novak hits back at criticism over Australian Open quarantine view
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World No. 1 Novak Djokovic yesterday hit back at criticism of his letter to Australian Open chief Craig Tiley in which he suggested easing of quarantine restrictions, saying his good intentions were 鈥渕isconstrued.鈥
As many as 72 players are confined to their hotel rooms for 14 days and unable to train for the February 8-21 Australian Open after passengers on three charter flights carrying them to Melbourne tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
Djokovic reportedly asked for reduced isolation periods and having players in hard quarantine moved to 鈥減rivate houses with tennis courts,鈥 drawing a backlash from Australians.
Tiley confirmed they were suggestions and not demands.
鈥淢y good intentions for my fellow competitors in Melbourne have been misconstrued as being selfish, difficult and ungrateful,鈥 the Serbian, who is isolating in Adelaide along with other top players, said in a lengthy statement. 鈥淭his couldn鈥檛 be farther from the truth.
鈥... at times when I see the aftermath of things, I do tend to ask myself if I should just sit back and enjoy my benefits instead of paying attention to other people鈥檚 struggles.鈥
Tennis coach Daniel Vallverdu said that players in hard quarantine should get preferential treatment from organizers such as prime practice times and matches scheduled in the cooler hours of the day.
Djokovic, who last year quit as the ATP Players Council chief to launch a breakaway players body, won a record eighth Australian Open title in 2020.
Former Australian Davis Cup player Sam Groth accused Djokovic鈥檚 letter as a 鈥渟elfish political move鈥 while Nick Kyrgios called the Serbian a 鈥渢ool.鈥
Djokovic said he 鈥済enuinely鈥 cared about fellow players.
鈥淚鈥檝e earned my privileges the hard way ... it is very difficult for me to be a mere onlooker knowing how much every help, gesture, and good word mattered to me when I was small and insignificant in the world pecking order,鈥 he said.
鈥淗ence, I use my position of privilege to be of service as much as I can where and when needed.鈥
Djokovic also expressed gratitude towards organizer Tennis Australia, the Australian government and the citizens to allow the players to compete amid the pandemic.
鈥淭hings in the media escalated and there was a general impression that the players (including myself) are ungrateful, weak and selfish because of their unpleasant feelings in quarantine,鈥 he added.
鈥淚 am very sorry that it has come to that because I do know how grateful many are. We all came to Australia to compete. Not being able to train and prepare before the tournament starts is really not easy.
鈥淣one of us ever questioned 14 days of quarantine despite what is being said by media outlets.鈥
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