Tennis star Novak Djokovic: "Adria-Tour? I would do it again"

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Novak Djokovic on the Adriatic tour in June

Antonio Bronic / REUTERS

Shortly before the restart of the men's tennis tour, world number one Novak Djokovic defended his controversial Adria Tour once again. "We tried to do something with the right intention," said Djokovic in an interview with the New York Times. Of course, some things could have been done differently, the 33-year-old Serb admitted. But: "If I had the opportunity to do the Adria Tour again, I would do it again."

At the show fight series in Serbia and Croatia in June, Djokovic and other top players such as Alexander Zverev or Dominic Thiem received a lot of criticism for their careless handling of the corona virus. The players did not adhere to the rules of distance and also celebrated in a club in Belgrade in the evening. Djokovic, like his wife, had tested positive for Covid-19 afterwards and then went into quarantine at home for two weeks. Other players and coaches were also affected.

He did not "do anything bad"

Djokovic said the tour was organized in collaboration with national governments and tennis associations. At the time of planning, the numbers of corona cases in both countries were very low. But he could understand that the pictures had caused a lack of understanding in other parts of the world. However, he doesn't feel guilty. "I don't think I did anything bad to be honest," said Djokovic.

The tennis star recently caused a stir with idiosyncratic statements about the corona crisis. He had expressed his skepticism towards a vaccine and touted medicinal water as a means against the virus, views which he defended in the "New York Times".

Djokovic, who has not lost a match on the tour this year and won the Australian Open in Melbourne in January, will take part in the Cincinnati Masters event, which has been relocated to New York, from this Saturday. Then the US Open will be held in Flushing Meadows.

aha / dpa