Selfish, virus-spreading Djokovic is last person we’ll take advice from
AUSSIE STAR GROTH LAYS INTO WORLD No1
NOVAK DJOKOVIC has been accused of a “selfish political move to gain popularity” after the defending Australian Open champion caused more Covid controversy – this time Down Under.
The Serbian superstar left Melbourne after winning his 17th Grand Slam title last February seemingly destined to become the greatest player of all time.
His actions since threaten to leave him another legacy after his ill-fated Adria Tour – where he caught coronavirus – and his disqualification from the US Open. Djokovic has also set up the Professional Tennis Players Association in a bid to get players better deals.
At least 72 of the 390 Australian
Open players, including Briton Heather Watson, are in hard lockdown during which they are not allowed to leave their rooms for a fortnight.
The British No2 posted on social media a 5km run that she completed while in her hotel room.
Warm-up events are due to start at Melbourne Park on February 1 followed by the Australian Open on February 8. But world No1 Djokovic’s move to improve the conditions of players in Melbourne by sending a list of demands to Tennis Australia, including shorter quarantines in exchange for more testing, has sparked fury. Former Aussie No1 Sam Groth said: “As for Novak Djokovic and his list of demands, is he serious?
“It’s a selfish political move to gain popularity, and, given his behaviour at the Adria Tour, where he and several other players contracted and spread the virus, he’s the last person anyone is going to be taking Covid advice from.”
There are now six positive coronavirus cases – including one player – among the players, support staff and officials who have arrived Down Under on special charter flights.
But Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said: “The rules will not be changing. People are free to provide lists of demands but the answer is no. The rules were very clearly laid out before anyone got on a plane.”
And Scot Gordon Reid, the double Australian Open wheelchair champion, said: “It’s a minority of the players that are kicking up a fuss but the majority of the time that minority are the loudest.
“Some people are maybe a little bit spoiled normally.”
Some people are maybe a little bit spoiled