'We were wrong': Novak Djokovic and wife test positive for coronavirus

Novak Djokovic has offered a grovelling apology after revealing he and wife Jelena are positive for coronavirus.

The World No.1 tested positive for the coronavirus on Tuesday after taking part in a controversial tennis exhibition series he organised in Serbia and Croatia.

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The top-ranked Serb is the fourth player to test positive for the virus after first playing in Belgrade and then again last weekend in Zadar, Croatia.

His wife also tested positive.

“The moment we arrived in Belgrade we went to be tested. My result is positive, just as Jelena's, while the results of our children are negative,” Djokovic said in a statement.

Djokovic has been criticised for organising the tournament and bringing in players from other countries amid the coronavirus pandemic, with Australian star Nick Kyrgios on Monday declaring it a “boneheaded decision” on Twitter.

And following Tuesday's announcement of Djokovic's positive test, Kyrgios was again quick to express his views, tweeting: “Oh Boy”.

He then added: “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.”

Djokovic fourth player to get COVID-19

Viktor Troicki said on Tuesday that he and his pregnant wife have both been diagnosed with the virus, while Grigor Dimitrov, a three-time grand slam semifinalist from Bulgaria, said on Sunday that he tested positive.

Borna Coric played Dimitrov on Saturday in Zadar and said on Monday he had also tested positive.

There were no social distancing measures observed at the matches in either country, while players were observed playing basketball and partying at nightclubs in their downtime.

“I am so deeply sorry our tournament has caused harm,” Djokovic said.

“Everything we did in the past month, we did with a pure heart and sincere intentions.

“We believed the tournament met all health protocols and the health of our region seemed in good condition to finally unite people for philanthropic reasons.

“We were wrong and it was too soon. I can’t express how sorry I am for this and every case of infection.”

Djokovic, who has previously said he was against taking a vaccine for the virus even if it became mandatory to travel, was the face behind the Adria Tour, a series of exhibition events that started in the Serbian capital and then moved to Zadar.

He left Croatia after the final was cancelled and was tested in Belgrade.

Despite the positive test, he defended the exhibition series.

“It was all born with a philanthropic idea, to direct all raised funds towards people in need and it warmed my heart to see how everybody strongly responded to this,” Djokovic said.

“We organised the tournament at the moment when the virus has weakened, believing that the conditions for hosting the Tour had been met.

“Unfortunately, this virus is still present, and it is a new reality that we are still learning to cope and live with.”

Djokovic said he will remain in self-isolation for 14 days and also apologised to anyone who became infected as a result of the series.

with Yahoo Sports Staff