Grigor Dimitrov Tests Positive For COVID-19, Adria Tour Final Cancelled - UBITENNIS

Grigor Dimitrov Tests Positive For COVID-19, Adria Tour Final Cancelled

The former top 10 player has recently been playing in the Adria Tour alongside the likes of Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev

By Adam Addicott
4 Min Read

Bulgarian tennis star Grigor Dimitrov has announced he has contracted the Coronavirus after withdrawing from the Adria Tour event in Zadar.

The 29-year-old revealed that he has tested positive for the virus following a test he underwent in Monaco, where he is based. On Saturday Dimitrov was playing in Croatia in the Adria Tour, which is co-founded by Novak Djokovic. He lost his opening match 4-1, 4-1, to Borna Coric before withdrawing from his evening match.

“I want to reach out and let my fans and friends know that I tested positive back in Monaco for Covid-19,” Dimitrov wrote. “I want to make sure anyone who has been in contact with me during these past days gets tested and takes the necessary precautions.’
“I am so sorry for any harm I might have caused. I am back home now and recovering. Thanks for your support and please stay safe and healthy.”

Dimitrov’s revelation has thrown doubt over what will happen to the other players who have been playing in Zadar this week and if they may have to go in isolation until they are given the all clear. Two days ago during a press conference in the city Dimitrov was sitting less than a meter away from Zverev and all players were sitting shoulder-to-shoulder in a line. Furthermore, both him and Zverev shared a microphone between them throughout the conference that lasted at least 10 minutes.

Besides on the court, Dimitrov has also took part in a basketball match that also featured Djokovic. One photo has shown the two in close proximity of each other. Prior to the diagnoses of COVID-19, Dimitrov said that ‘he felt exhausted’ as a result of training and playing in the heat. The doctor advised him to rest, but it is unclear as to why he there was no mention of a potential COVID-19 case given the worldwide health pandemic.

Dimitrov’s announcement has taken place less than 30 minutes before Djokovic’s final match against Andrey Rublev in Zadar. The world No.1 had recently been criticised for hosting the Tour where there has been a lack of social distancing. When questioned by Eurosport about his Belgrade event, which was he first leg on the Tour, he played down the concerns.

“We have different circumstances and measures so it’s very hard to think of worldwide standards“, the 17-time Grand Slam champion told a news conference, before going on to add Serbia has “better numbers” of coronavirus infections compared with other countries.

It is important to note that between Belgrade and Zadar, Dimitrov have also been back in Bulgaria training.

The final between Djokovic and Rublev has now been cancelled due to the positive test. The decision was announced on court in Croatian by former Wimbledon champion and tournament director Goran Ivanišević.

“We have just received the news that Dimitrov is positive for coronavirus, we will have to cancel the finals for the safety of all of you, tennis players and all people,” Sport Klub quoted Ivanišević as saying.
“On behalf of the organization, I wish Dimitrov all the best. This was our only right decision. Thank you for these three wonderful days, but we had to cancel the finals. I’m sorry. We don’t want more people to get infected. Thank you very much, see you again.”

UPDATE

Mike Dickson from The Daily Mail have reported that all players involved in the Adria Tour today have returned back to their hotel and are undergoing COVID-19 testing.

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