2020 ATP General News

[Nadalfan2013]

This is absolutely stupid and irresponsible from Novak.

 

[kskate2]

Her husband tested positive? she is in her third trimester,and have not travelled for starters and should have practised social distancing for starters.Just read she is due to give birth in July

Wasn't questioning how she got it. Like you, I'm more surprised w/ her choices and Viktor's for that matter while carrying a baby.

 

[Moxie]

Wasn't questioning how she got it. Like you, I'm more surprised w/ her choices and Viktor's for that matter while carrying a baby.

It is a fair question. Novak brought his whole family, including his parents, to the tournament. I'm really trying not to side-eye people for their choices, but why SO MUCH lack of caution? People read the news. And I have looked at the numbers: Serbia, Croatia and Bulgaria (where Dimitrov is from) are quite low. (Or were.) Here's what worries me: given that they were in an area where numbers of cases were very low, and yet, they had a pretty significant outbreak from a few incautious events, can the US Open or RG work, even with real precautions? Can enough difference be made with strictly adhered-to protocols? Or is the problem more density of population, and people traveling in? NYC and Paris have flattened the curve very well, so far.. I want to think that if everyone who decides to participate plays by the rules, that it could work, to have the next few tournaments, esp. Majors, as have been scheduled. But if someone decides they're not all in, it could be a big disaster. @Jelenafan asked about fines for the Adria tour. Nothing is set up. But maybe the ITF/ATP/WTA should make breaking the protocols the equivalent of not passing a doping test. Play by the rules, or suffer a ban AND a fine. Until there's a vaccine, it's going to be the only way to play tennis.

 

[kskate2]

It is a fair question. Novak brought his whole family, including his parents, to the tournament. I'm really trying not to side-eye people for their choices, but why SO MUCH lack of caution? People read the news. And I have looked at the numbers: Serbia, Croatia and Bulgaria (where Dimitrov is from) are quite low. (Or were.) Here's what worries me: given that they were in an area where numbers of cases were very low, and yet, they had a pretty significant outbreak from a few incautious events, can the US Open or RG work, even with real precautions? Can enough difference be made with strictly adhered-to protocols? Or is the problem more density of population, and people traveling in? NYC and Paris have flattened the curve very well, so far.. I want to think that if everyone who decides to participate plays by the rules, that it could work, to have the next few tournaments, esp. Majors, as have been scheduled. But if someone decides they're not all in, it could be a big disaster. @Jelenafan asked about fines for the Adria tour. Nothing is set up. But maybe the ITF/ATP/WTA should make breaking the protocols the equivalent of not passing a doping test. Play by the rules, or suffer a ban AND a fine. Until there's a vaccine, it's going to be the only way to play tennis.

All good points about USO & RG. Also keeping in mind young healthy people are great carriers for this thing. And we still don't know the exposure numbers for the Adria tour yet.

 

[Moxie]

All good points about USO & RG. Also keeping in mind young healthy people are great carriers for this thing. And we still don't know the exposure numbers for the Adria tour yet.

The Adria Tour could end up screwing the rest of the year for tennis. Yes, we'll see how bad the exposure numbers get, but even right now, it's going to scare the bejeezus out of tournament directors and insurance brokers. Not to mention players who were already skittish. Whatever loosening of protocols the USO was just finding, to appease someone like Djokovic, (and I really mean Djokovic, not just "someone like him,") may go by the wayside. The USO and RG are now going to be in serious conversations about tightening their bootstraps. Just as well, I suppose. But I feel pissed off...I thought we might yet get to see some serious tennis this year.

 

[the AntiPusher]

All good points about USO & RG. Also keeping in mind young healthy people are great carriers for this thing. And we still don't know the exposure numbers for the Adria tour yet.

We don't know the exposure numbers but the unfortunate odds are is that Novak's tournament may have created a pandemic hotspot..

 

[Moxie]

We don't know the exposure numbers but the unfortunate odds are is that Novak's tournament may have created a pandemic hotspot..

I don't think he'd be the only one at fault, and certainly the Serbian government would be top of the list. There was also a big soccer tournament over the last week or so, in Serbia, with a final in Belgrade. 16,000 people in attendance. The largest public gathering in Europe, since the lockdown. 5 soccer players have tested positive, and some of them before the final was played. And they're sick, not just "positive." That's an irresponsible government, and you can't lay that all on Djokovic. The object lesson seems to be that, just because you seem to be on the good side of the whole thing, you can't just leap back to "normal." A to B, not A to Z.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I don't think he'd be the only one at fault, and certainly the Serbian government would be top of the list. There was also a big soccer tournament over the last week or so, in Serbia, with a final in Belgrade. 16,000 people in attendance. The largest public gathering in Europe, since the lockdown. 5 soccer players have tested positive, and some of them before the final was played. And they're sick, not just "positive." That's an irresponsible government, and you can't lay that all on Djokovic. The object lesson seems to be that, just because you seem to be on the good side of the whole thing, you can't just leap back to "normal." A to B, not A to Z.

Agree small steps are needed.Until there is a vaccine for this virus we still need to be viligent at all times,people need to realize when some restrictions are lifted there will be 'a spike in cases' still the world cannot afford to have a 'second curve' of this virus.Even in some countries where there has been a low record of cases,that does not mean you cannot get affected.I can't see tennis getting back to the way it was until 2021,even then,there maybe some restrictions in place.

 

[Chris Koziarz]

What annoys me about the whole thing is Novak has been very vocal over what he feels were draconian measures by the USO as their planned protocol. It is precisely because of this disregard of social distancing, and quite frankly, common sense that they (the USO) feel they need to be extra cautious.

It gives homeopathic/natural advocates a bad name when Mr. Anti Vaccine Novak doesn't use even frigging normal caution in the middle of a pandemic to stage a tournament with a reckless disregard for people's safety.

This incident of Joker's irresponsibility is even more grave than previous on-court incidents, e.g. yelling at the gall girl (for what he apologised) and I think he cannot easily fix this one: his PR will suffer extensively, his sponsors likely will turn away (at least temporarily while the negative news are full of him) no matter how he explains himself.
I was always of opinion that Joker was far behind the others of big3 (or big4 if Murray is included) wrt his maturity and responsibility and his demeanor in general. This incident confirmed my opinion, I just repeat after Kyrgios (who is very good at judging maturity of his peers) how silly "bonehead" Joker is. Because of the above (and numerous irresponsible incidents in the past both on and off court) Joker does not deserve to be called "all time great", no matter what he does in the remainder of his career.

 

[the AntiPusher]

I don't think he'd be the only one at fault, and certainly the Serbian government would be top of the list. There was also a big soccer tournament over the last week or so, in Serbia, with a final in Belgrade. 16,000 people in attendance. The largest public gathering in Europe, since the lockdown. 5 soccer players have tested positive, and some of them before the final was played. And they're sick, not just "positive." That's an irresponsible government, and you can't lay that all on Djokovic. The object lesson seems to be that, just because you seem to be on the good side of the whole thing, you can't just leap back to "normal." A to B, not A to Z.

No my dear friend. I wasn't saying that Novak is the only one at fault but his DNA is all over this one. If this occurred at the Nadal Academy or in Basel at Roger's tournament most likely the same could be said. However, Novak's carelessness and lack of social distancing is at the level of some teenagers holding a AIRBNB party without any supervision. Yes, this one is on Novak's sweaty body and he is going to have to own this one.

 

[Moxie]

An irony might be if Djoker gets COVID, and it turns out that the anti-bodies keep you from getting it again. (Not yet known.) But that way, he wouldn't have to make a stand on the vaccine.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Last week all the players of the Adria Tour had a party in Belgrado, then........



Hmmm it seem is not working

Nice Party! Perhaps Trump should choose Nole for running mate.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Nice Party! Perhaps Trump should choose Nole for running mate.

Trump's administration team is smarter than Novak's tournament team by requiring the attendees to signed the waiver. Novak will learn the error of his ways.

 

[Moxie]

Sort of sums up what we've been saying:

After Virus Tests, Djokovic Is Criticized for Holding Exhibition (Published 2020)

A match on the Adria Tour, an exhibition circuit organized by Novak Djokovic in the Balkans, was canceled on Sunday after a player tested positive for the coronavirus.

www.nytimes.com

 

[Chris Koziarz]

I knew that: I predicted that in my last message above.

World tennis number one Novak Djokovic tests positive for COVID-19

The Serbian, who is the number one player in the world, released a statement confirming the positive result.

www.smh.com.au

This is the nail to the coffin of Joker's PR with ATP and the rest of the world.
What should he do now? Step down from Players' Council would be the first move. No one will take him seriously after his expo+disco+covid stunts

 

[Chris Koziarz]

Another "cheeky" and smart comment by Nick. I kinda start liking him after that, even if I didn't recently for his on court antics.

 

[the AntiPusher]

I knew that: I predicted that in my last message above.

World tennis number one Novak Djokovic tests positive for COVID-19

The Serbian, who is the number one player in the world, released a statement confirming the positive result.

www.smh.com.au

This is the nail to the coffin of Joker's PR with ATP and the rest of the world.
What should he do now? Step down from Players' Council would be the first move. No one will take him seriously after his expo+disco+covid stunts

This unfortunately is just the beginning, the other attendees most likely will test positive and I suspect lawsuits are coming. I am glad that Thiem has tested negative so far and is able to continue to participate in the other tournament this week. The match vs Tsitsipas yesterday was pretty entertaining. Very interesting format.

 

[tented]

I knew that: I predicted that in my last message above.

World tennis number one Novak Djokovic tests positive for COVID-19

The Serbian, who is the number one player in the world, released a statement confirming the positive result.

www.smh.com.au

This is the nail to the coffin of Joker's PR with ATP and the rest of the world.
What should he do now? Step down from Players' Council would be the first move. No one will take him seriously after his expo+disco+covid stunts

And change his name to NoVacc DjoCovid.

 

[the AntiPusher]

And change his name to NoVacc DjoCovid.

Tented I have a feeling that thi

And change his name to NoVacc DjoCovid.

I'm glad that his kids have tested negative..Those poor kids have two parents who have some very conspiracy theories influenced beliefs.

 

[Jelenafan]

Evans: Djokovic should 'feel some responsibility'

World No.1 Novak Djokovic should accept responsibility after three players tested positive for coronavirus while participating in his Adria Tour, Briton Dan Evans has said.

www.espn.com

“It's very unfortunate that Grigor has it and Coric has it but you strip it back, is it a surprise? I think that's the question we should all ask."