“Novak Djokovic Is the Only One Who Needs to Be Sorry” – Dominic Thiem’s Manager on Adria Tour Fiasco

After the Adria Tour, Novak Djokovic has received hostile comments from a lot of people. Now its Dominic Thiem’s Manager Herwig Straka who has put the full onus on the World No.1 for Adria Tour fiasco.

Due to the Adria Tour, four players got the Coronavirus. And Thiem’s test came out negative. Thiem was present only in the first leg in Belgrade which he won.

Straka straight away blamed Djokovic. The ATP cannot do anything in this. The Tournament was pictured as a charity tour. But later it became a publicity show. Novak Djokovic was the organizer and the host of the tour so he should have taken care of this.

Djokovic is the only one who needs to be sorry bcause he staged everything. The others were just there, didn’t kill anyone.

“I have to blame Djokovic. Okay, the others took part, but he was very much behind it. Originally for honorable reasons, the charity idea was at the center. But it has gone in a completely wrong direction and has been abused as a publicity show. You have to blame Djokovic for that.” Straka said, speaking to DerStandard.

Note: The quotes are translations from German.

“Novak Djokovic is the president of the players and didn’t do justice to the role” – Herwig Straka

Straka also raised questions regarding the Serbian’s Presidentship in the ATP Players Council. Djokovic showed high levels of irresponsibility and immaturity. And many players were already angry with Djokovic after he missed the zoom calls to discuss the resumption of tennis.

“He’s president of the players and didn’t do justice to the role. From ATP’s point of view, it was an unnecessary event,” he said.

Straka also revealed that the organizers had promised safety before the start of the tour. They kept a spectator cap at 1000, ensuring social distancing. So Straka thought it to be safe for Thiem to play. But as the tour started the organizers failed to keep the basic safety standards.

“In advance, I have insisted that we get clear COVID 19 directives. This has been said that a maximum of 1000 spectators is allowed to come, social distancing was guaranteed. Only under these conditions did I release Dominic. That was two days before. They didn’t stick to it, it was annoying to me,” Straka explained.

Troubles keep on piling up for Djokovic, as many players and managers vent out their disappointment. All hope now for everyone is that the players recover safely and tennis resumes safely.