Novak Djokovic tried to clarify his heavily examined letter to Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley in a post on social media on Tuesday, insisting that “his good intentions” had been misinterpreted.
Following positive COVID-19 tests on three charter flights to Melbourne, 72 players are currently in a tough quarantine period, resulting in 14 days of self-isolation in their hotel rooms. Djokovic suggested reducing quarantine restrictions in his initial comments to Tiley and was immediately criticized for lack of awareness by many in Australia, including Nick Kyrgios and Sam Groth.
Djokovic allegedly demanded a short period of isolation and private housing options with tennis courts for those affected.
“My good intentions for my competitors in Melbourne have been misinterpreted as selfish, difficult and ungrateful,” Djokovic wrote. “It simply came to our notice then.
“Not every act is taken at face value, and when I see the consequences, I tend to wonder if I should sit down and enjoy my benefits instead of paying attention to other people’s struggles. However, always choose to do something and be useful despite the provocative consequences and misunderstandings. “
Djokovic, currently in a more relaxed quarantine in Adelaide ahead of an exhibition event leading up to the Australian Open, said his suggestions were compiled from a group discussion with other players and he knew it was unlikely that any of them to be granted. He then apologized for the way his comments were perceived.
“Things in the media have grown and there has been a general impression that players (including me) are ungrateful, weak and selfish because of their unpleasant feelings in quarantine,” he wrote. “I am very sorry that I came to this because I know how satisfied many are. We all came to Australia to compete.
“Not being able to train and prepare before the tournament starts is not really easy. None of us has ever questioned a 14-day quarantine, despite what the media has said.”
Djokovic is the latest player, along with Roberto Bautista Agut and Alize Cornet, who apologized for the quarantine comments that were perceived as insensitive.
He was also subjected to intense control during the summer due to his unfortunate Adria Tour, which failed to comply with universally accepted COVID-19 protocols and saw many of its players, including Djokovic, show coronavirus.
The Australian Open is scheduled to begin on February 8, three weeks late from its typical start date.