Trending: #djokovid

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic was widely condemned for hosting a tennis exhibition where he was one of four players to test positive for the coronavirus, a lapse that sent shudders through a sport struggling to get back on its feet. The Serbian star said Tuesday that he was “deeply sorry” in an unstinting apology for the now-cancelled Adria Tour, where social distancing was minimal and matches were played in front of thousands of fans. Serbian NBA player Nikola Jokic has reportedly tested positive after being pictured with Djokovic at an exhibition basketball event in Belgrade earlier this month. In his last tweet before his apology, Djokovic posted a picture of himself playing basketball with a caption challenging Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James. “Am I ready for a 1:1 @KingJames?” it asked.

Djokovic, 33, has said he is “so deeply sorry” that the tournament “caused harm.” His wife Jelena has also tested positive.

Many voiced concerns over attempts to restart professional tournaments in August, including the US Open set to begin on Aug. 31.

Djokovic, Grigor Dimitrov, Borna Coric and Viktor Troicki all tested positive after taking part in the Adria Tour, where players embraced across the net, played basketball and even danced in a nightclub.

Australia’s Nick Kyrgios, so often in the crosshairs for his own on-court indiscretions, said the incident was pure “stupidity.”

“Don’t @ me for anything I’ve done that has been ‘irresponsible’ or classified as ‘stupidity’ – this takes the cake,” said the world No. 40.

Britain’s Andy Murray, a threetime Grand Slam winner, said, “It’s not surprising how many people have tested positive after seeing some of the images of the players’ party and the kids’ day. There was no social distancing in place.”