Salah Tahlak: 'Novak Djokovic is a true champion, he will get past this hurdle'

The 17-time Major champion Novak Djokovic is yet to lose a match in 2020, winning two ATP titles and leading Serbia towards the inaugural ATP Cup title. The Serb was the player to beat in the opening two months before the coronavirus put the tennis season on hold, with no official tennis until August. In the last couple of days, Novak is the leading figure in tennis media again after the Adria Tour controversies, announcing he is positive for the coronavirus together with his wife and staying at home with his family for the next couple of weeks. The opening two legs of the Adria Tour in Belgrade and Zadar gathered rock-solid field, with a couple of top-10 players and the crowd that could spend time with them off the court.

With no social distancing or any other strict rule, a couple of players tested positive for the coronavirus, including Grigor Dimitrov, Borna Coric, Viktor Troicki and Novak Djokovic.

The news caused massive turmoil in the world of tennis and Djokovic is undoubtedly not the most favorite person of our sport now, with many players judging his organization and lack of safety measures. Dubai tournament director Salah Tahlak is among those who stand on Novak's side, wishing the reigning champion and all the other players a speedy recovery and confirming Novak would return to Dubai in February 2021. 

"Novak is a true champion on and off the court; I am sure that the prayers and good wishes of all tennis-loving people from the UAE are with him and his wife Jelena right now," Tahlak said. "While we are naturally concerned that quite a few of our regular players are also among those who have been infected with corona, we are confident that all of them will get past this hurdle, just like they've been used to doing in their lives as professional tennis players. Novak has too many fans here in the UAE, and everyone is aware of the gluten-free lifestyle that has helped him achieve so much in his sport. I am sure he will now know what he has to do to stay safe. We have been in touch, and I am convinced that Novak will be back to defend his crown here next year. That's the assurance we can give at this moment while keeping him and all the rest in our prayers and good wishes."

On February 29, Novak Djokovic defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-4 in an hour and 17 minutes to lift the 79th ATP title and the first in Dubai in seven years. 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/31f7fvm