Anti-Vaxxer and Science Denier Djokovic Catches the COVID

Novak Djokovic's disastrous exhibition series went from bad to worse after it was announced that the world tennis No 1 had tested positive for Covid-19, along with six other participants in the tournament.

It comes after two events, in Belgrade and Zadar, where there was a near total lack of social distancing measures, with fans packing the stands and players repeatedly getting up close in everything from soccer and basketball pick-up games to escapades in nightclubs.

Other players who have tested positive are Grigor Dimitrov, Borna Coric and Viktor Troicki. There have also been positive tests for Djokovic's fitness trainer Marco Panichi and Dimitrov's coach Christian Groh.  The highest profile player of them all tested positive after he returned to Belgrade, having declined to be tested with everyone else at the second event in Croatia.  It was also reported that Djokovic's wife also tested positive.

Djokovic is widely believed to be an anti-vaxxer, having previously expressed a reluctance to be vaccinated in order for the tennis tour to continue in the era of COVID-19.    “Personally I am opposed to vaccination and I wouldn’t want to be forced by someone to take a vaccine in order to be able to travel,” Djokovic said back in April.

He has also demonstrated a reckless disposition against medical science.  Since the start of the coronavirus outbreak, Djokovic has been vocal in emphasizing ways to help people boost immunity to combat the coronavirus and other illnesses (as opposed to following the recommendations of medical authorities).   In 2018, when Djokovic was threatened with a career-ending injury to his right elbow, he was initially adamant in pursuing "natural healing", and he was deeply resistant to undergoing surgery until he was faced with no other option if he wanted to continue his career.

Djokovic’s wife Jelena also recently attracted controversy when her post on a wild 5G conspiracy theory – a theory with no scientific basis or credible evidence – was taken down by Instagram.

Djokovic has been heavily criticized by players within the sport, including Nick Kyrgios who labeled the decision to push on with the exhibition series as 'boneheaded.'  Alongside a video of some of the players partying in a nightclub, Kyrgios wrote on social media: 'Prayers up to all the players that have contracted Covid-19. Don't @ me for anything I've done that has been 'irresponsible' or classified as 'stupidity' - this takes the cake.'

British No 1 Dan Evans was also stinging with his words, saying, "I just think it is a poor example to set.  Even if the guidelines in that country are not two metres... it is not a joke is it?"

Andy Murray released a statement saying, "When you are going through a time like this, it's important any of the top athletes around the world are showing that we are taking this extremely seriously and knowing that we are using social distancing measures . . . Ultimately, the tour won't get back again if we are having problems every single week and the players are doing what they want."

Djokovic's recent conduct has been as so reckless that many in the game feel his public statements and lack of leadership merit his standing down from the position of President of the ATP Player Council.