Novak Djokovic tried in a social media post on Tuesday to clarify his heavily researched letter to Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley, insisting that his “good intentions” were being misinterpreted.
After positive COVID-19 tests on three charter flights to Melbourne, 72 players are currently in a harsh quarantine period, resulting in 14 days of self-isolation in their hotel rooms. Djokovic had suggested to Tiley in his initial remarks that the quarantine restrictions should be relaxed and was promptly criticized for his lack of awareness by many in Australia, including Nick Kyrgios and Sam Groth.
Djokovic had reportedly asked for a shortened isolation period and for private housing options with tennis courts for those affected.
“My good intentions for my fellow Melbourne rivals were misunderstood as selfish, difficult and ungrateful,” Djokovic wrote. “This couldn’t be further from the truth.
“Not every act is taken at face value, and when I see the aftermath of things, I tend to ask myself if I should just sit back and enjoy my benefits rather than pay attention to the aftermath of things. other people’s struggles. choose to do something and be of service despite the challenging consequences and misunderstandings. “
Djokovic, who is currently in a more relaxed quarantine in Adelaide ahead of an exhibition event leading into the Australian Open, said his suggestions were compiled from a group chat with other players and he knew it was unlikely that any of them would be met. . He then apologized for how his comments were perceived.
“Things escalated in the media and there was a general impression that the players (myself included) are ungrateful, weak and selfish because of their unpleasant feelings in quarantine,” he wrote. “I am very sorry that it has come to this as I know how grateful many are. We have all come to Australia to compete.
“Not being able to train and prepare before the tournament starts is really not easy. None of us have ever questioned 14 days of quarantine, despite what the media say.”
Djokovic is the latest player, along with Roberto Bautista Agut and Alize Cornet, to apologize for comments about the quarantine that were perceived as insensitive.
He also came under heavy scrutiny over the summer for his ill-fated Adria Tour, which failed to comply with widely accepted COVID-19 protocols and many of its players, including Djokovic, tested positive for the coronavirus.
The Australian Open is scheduled to begin February 8, delayed three weeks from the typical start date.