Murray and Kyrgios slam world No 1 over Covid-19 horror show

Coric, Troicki and coaches test positive at Balkan event World No 1 ‘bone-headed’ to play exhibition, says Kyrgios

Novak Djokovic found himself under attack on multiple fronts after more cases of Covid-19 emerged yesterday at his ill-conceived Adria Tour event, involving two more players and two coaches.

Nick Kyrgios, Andy Murray and Dan Evans were among the notable players expressing their alarm at the lack of social distancing in the Balkans, where Croatian No1 Borna Coric and Serbia’s Viktor Troicki joined Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov on the infected list.

The other two who tested positive are believed to be Dimitrov’s coach, Kristijan Groh, and Djokovic’s fitness trainer, Marko Paniki.

But Djokovic, the world No1, refused even to take a Covid-19 test on Sunday night in Zadar – the Croatian city where the final of the Adria Tour should have been held. Instead, he returned to Belgrade, where he and his family are understood to have been tested yesterday. The results are expected to be released today.

According to one Croatian report – called accurate by Djokovic’s management – he “decided not to be tested on the spot because he does not feel any symptoms, nor does anyone from his environment”.

The whole situation was criticised yesterday by Kyrgios. “Boneheaded decision to go ahead with the ‘exhibition’,” he said on Twitter. “Speedy recovery fellas, but that’s what happens when you disregard all protocols. This IS NOT A JOKE.”

Evans, the British No 1, took a similar position yesterday. “I just think it is a poor example to set,” he said. “Even if the guidelines were taken away in this country I would still be trying to keep myself out of the way as much as I could from other people. I just think there has been a total disregard to that.”

During the two weeks of the Adria Tour, players have been

pictured hugging and high-fiving with abandon, and broke up the time between their matches by playing contact sports such as football or basketball. The Belgrade leg of the event concluded with them dancing shirtless in a nightclub, while photographs emerged of Djokovic and Dimitrov surrounded by a crowded pack of ball-kids.

Evans suggested yesterday these four infections were the predictable result of overly casual guidelines. “It is very unfortunate that Grigor has it, Coric has it,” he said. “But if you strip it back, is it a surprise? I think that is the question we should all ask. I hope there is no second-guessing now on the US Open because of unfortunate events.”

Murray said: “I have always had a good relationship with Novak. But what’s happened is not a good look. When you are going through a time like this, it’s important any of the top athletes around the world show that we are taking this extremely seriously and knowing that we are using social distancing measures.

“I hope that we learn from it because, ultimately, the tour won’t get back again if we are having problems every single week and the players are doing what they want. We need to make sure we are doing the right thing.”

Djokovic was asked about the Adria Tour’s lackadaisical approach to safety protocols 10 days ago, and replied that the event was taking its cue from government advice.

Bruno Soares, one of the 10 player representatives on the ATP player council, highlighted the damage that the episode could cause to the political aspirations of Djokovic, who is president of the council. Soares described the Adria Tour as a “horror show” and added: “It is embarrassing for him because he is the president.”