It’s just malicious criticism, claims Djokovic as he attacks ‘witch hunt’

NOVAK DJOKOVIC has accused critics of subjecting him to a ‘witch-hunt’ after his Adria Tour event ended in a coronavirus fiasco – and said he is still uncertain whether he would play at the US Open.

Images and videos showed the players hugging at the net, playing basketball together and partying at the tournament.

Djokovic, fellow Serb Viktor Troicki, Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov and Croatian Borna Coric all tested positive for the virus and the event had to be called off. Some called him irresponsible in staging the event but the world No.1 pulled no punches in his response.

‘I can only see criticism lately and much of it is malicious,’ Djokovic (pictured) said.

‘It’s obviously more than just criticism, it’s like an agenda and a witch-hunt are on. My intention was pure, I was whole-heartedly committed to organising a humanitarian event.’

Djokovic has now tested negative and added: ‘I still haven’t decided whether I will play in the US Open. The upsurge in registered cases in the US and New York in particular are not playing into [its] hands.’