Novak Djokovic clarifies his looser quarantine restrictions requests in statement

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has issued a statement, clarifying himself following his requests for looser quarantine restrictions for Australian Open players in Melbourne quarantine. 

Over 70 players were ordered a 14-day quarantine and Djokovic, who is able to train in Adelaide, stepped up as he wanted to help fellow competitors. 

"Australia, in light of recent media and social media criticism for my letter to Craig Tiley, (Tournament Director of Australian Open), I would like to clarify a few things," Djokovic started his statement. 

"My good intentions for my fellow competitors in Melbourne have been misconstrued as being selfish, difficult, and ungrateful. This could not be farther from the truth.

"Not every act is taken at its face value and at times when I see the aftermath of things, I do tend to ask myself if I should just sit back and enjoy my benefits instead of paying attention to other people's struggles. However, I always choose to do something and be of service despite the challenging consequences and misunderstandings.

"I genuinely care about my fellow players and I also understand very well how the world is run and who gets bigger and better and why. I've earned my privileges the hard way, and for that reason, it is very difficult for me to be a mere onlooker knowing how much every help, gesture, and good word mattered to me when I was small and insignificant in the world pecking order. Hence, I use my my position of privilege to be of service as much as I can where and when needed. 

"I have always had a very good relationship with Craig, and I respect and appreciate all the effort he puts into making the Australian Open a place to look forward to coming back to each year. In our email exchange I used an opportunity to brainstorm about potential improvements that could be made to the quarantine of players in Melbourne that were in full lockdown."

Victoria Premier bluntly rejected Djokovic's requests 

Victoria’s Premier Daniel Andrews read Djokovic’s requests and rejected all of them. 

"People are free to provide lists of demands but the answer is no,” Andrews said.

“I know that there’s been a bit of chatter from a number of players about the rules - well, the rules apply to them as they apply to everybody else, and they were all briefed on that before they came and that was a condition on which they came.

“There’s no special treatment here.”

Djokovic insisted he understands the situation and he did no want to sound ungrateful by any means. 

"There were a few suggestions and ideas that I gathered from other players from our chat group and there was no harm intended to try and help. I was aware that the chances were low that any of our suggestions would be accepted. just like my request to quarantine with my team in Melbourne instead of Adelaide, was denied prior to our travel, because of the strict government regulations. Since I could not be with other players in Melbourne, I made myself available to them if needed," Djokovic said.

"I understand that organizing international sporting events during a pandemic poses health risks to the local community and to the players themselves. Therefore, I would like to express my full gratitude to Tennis Australia, the Australian Government and local citizens for willing to take this risk with us for the love of the game and the multiple opportunities it brings to the economy of the country and its people. We are honored, and we will do our best to follow the guidelines and protocols put in place. We do hope that we will be able to nurture our bodies and be ready for the mental and physical endurance and strength tests that are ahead of us once the competition starts. 

"Things in the media escalated and there was a general impression that the players (including myself) are ungrateful, weak, and selfish because of their unpleasant feelings in quarantine. I am very sorry that it has come to that because I do know how grateful many are. We all came to Australia to compete. Not being able to train and prepare before the tournaments starts is really not easy. None of us ever questioned 14 days of quarantine despite what is being said by media outlets. 

"I am very much looking forward to playing in front of the people and joining the tennis frenzy and energy of the city that has always carried me towards many victories. I am also looking forward to seeing all of my fellow players together in Melbourne. I am blown away by the numerous messages of gratitude and love that I have received during these past few days. 

"Wishing you all health and love, Novak."

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3bTbSR2