‘It is stunning’: Defiant Djokovic SLAMMED for IGNORING coronavirus warnings to host PACKED tennis event & celebration with stars

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Having described well being precautions deliberate for this yr’s US Open as “excessive” and criticized the idea of vaccines, world primary tennis participant Novak Djokovic has sparked outrage by internet hosting a packed event in Belgrade.

The outspoken opponent of vaccination campaigns was pictured welcoming gamers to his Adria Tour competitors on the airport, hugging them throughout an accompanying soccer match, dancing at a piano in entrance of hundreds of followers who had crammed the seats at his tennis membership and embracing his rivals in press images whereas a lot of the world continues to look at social distancing.

Few members of the massive viewers wore masks as they sat subsequent to one another on the banks of the River Danube to observe high gamers together with Alexander Zverev, Dominic Thiem, Grigor Dimitrov and Jelena Jankovic compete within the high-spirited exhibition occasion.

The stunning scenes have been at odds with recommendation from the overwhelming majority of world well being specialists on curbing the unfold of COVID-19, sparking a row on social media between commentators involved at Djokovic’s lack of warning and apologists who noticed that Serbia’s loss of life charges from the virus are at present low.

Simply days earlier, 25,000 followers had been allowed to attend a fiery derby match between main soccer groups Partizan and Pink Star Belgrade the place crowd restrictions have been additionally not inspired.

“Sure, that is footage from at present and never from one other planet,” stated Stuart Fraser, the tennis correspondent for The Instances, observing the motion in entrance of four,000 ticket patrons. 

“Oh to be a fly on the wall at america Tennis Affiliation workplaces now.”

The US Open seems to be more and more unlikely to happen as scheduled in late August in opposition to a backdrop of the widespread outbreak of the virus and social unrest throughout the nation, with high-profile figures together with Australian ace Nick Kyrgios calling tennis bosses “egocentric” for urgent forward with plans to host a restricted event earlier this week.

One fan reacted to images of Djokovic asking followers to look at a minute’s silence in honor of the lots of of hundreds of people that have died from the virus worldwide as “no laughing matter.”

“I do know piling on Novak looks as if a sport at this level, however yikes,” they added.

“The tone-deafness and lack of knowledge of all of it, to not point out the irony. It’s like a portrait in satire besides it’s all actual.”

Djokovic defended his seemingly carefree perspective by claiming that the shortage of a lockdown in his homeland meant there was no want for precautionary interventions.

“After all, lives have been misplaced and that is horrible to see within the area and worldwide,” he acknowledged.

“However life goes on and we as athletes are wanting ahead to competing.

“We have now totally different measures in Serbia than america or UK. It is less than me to make the decision on what is correct or improper health-wise. We’re following what the federal government of Serbia is telling us.

“We’re doing what the Serbian authorities is telling us and hopefully we quickly will get again on tour collectively.”

In a remark that was retweeted by the President of the German Tennis Federation, tennis journalist Jannik Schneider identified: “First there was the handshake and hug that Zverev and Djokovic gave one another after the German landed.

“Then they play soccer [in close proximity]. It looks as if they will and can do what they need. It’s a farce basically…concerning [governing bodies trying] to carry the tour and slams again in protected circumstances.”

Fellow tennis author Nick McCarvel was additionally shocked. 

“Really cannot imagine what I’m seeing,” he admitted.

“Gamers are calling for security measures on the US Open and saying they won’t play however are okay with full stadiums, a packed, close-quarters children’ day, hugs, microphone sharing and selfies at an exhibition?”

Zverev joked that he had been persuaded to play on the event by a menace from Djokovic that he would by no means let him win in opposition to him in any other case.

In the meantime, Thiem, who triggered controversy by suggesting that he can be reluctant to contribute to a fund for gamers whose earnings have been curtailed by the suspension of the tennis calendar, stated: “I like exploring new nations.

“Serbia wished us a pleasant welcome – particularly Novak, who got here to satisfy us on the airport.”

Djokovic supporters backed the gamers and spoke of their pleasure on the return of high-profile skilled tennis.

“Djokovic donated some huge cash and gear to the combat in opposition to COVID19 – he even donated to Spain,” stated one.

“Serbia has no restrictions anymore as a result of they managed COVID-19 nicely, so don’t hate – allow them to stay their free lives.”

One other showpiece for Djokovic’s mini-tour, which has been partly organized to boost funds for healthcare efforts, is not going to happen on the finish of June in Montenegro.

Authorities leaders have canceled the occasion as a result of they don’t take into account Serbia to satisfy the entry standards set by the nation’s well being authorities.

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Give the man a break: You could not like Djokovic’s anti-vaxx views, however he has a proper to voice them