Novak Djokovic says he wasn't being 'selfish, difficult, and ungrateful' when he sent a list of quarantine demands to Australian Open organizers
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Will Martin
Jan 20, 2021, 21:50 IST
Djokovic says his demands were not for him.Getty/Morgan Hancock
Novak Djokovic says the controversial list of demands he made at the Australian Open have been misconstrued as he just wanted to help out his fellow players.
"My good intentions for my fellow competitors in Melbourne have been misconstrued as being selfish, difficult, and ungrateful," said Djokovic. "This could not be farther from the truth."
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Novak Djokovic says the controversial list of requests he made at the Australian Open have been misconstrued as he just wanted to help out his fellow players.
All players at the Open are currently in a mandatory 14-day quarantine and allowed out of their rooms for five hours a day.
72 are in total lockdown, unable to leave their hotel rooms, after positive coronavirus tests emerged on three separate inbound flights to Melbourne on Saturday.
"My good intentions for my fellow competitors in Melbourne have been misconstrued as being selfish, difficult, and ungrateful," he wrote.
"This could not be farther from the truth. Not every act is taken at its face value and at times when I see the aftermath of things, I do tend to ask myself if I should just sit back and enjoy my benefits instead of paying attention to other people's struggles.
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"However, I always choose to do something and be of service despite the challenging consequences and misunderstandings. I genuinely care about my fellow players and I also understand very well how the world is run and who gets bigger and better and why.
"I've earned my privileges the hard way, and for that reason, it is very difficult for me to be a mere onlooker knowing how much every help, gesture, and good word mattered to me when I was small and insignificant in the world pecking order.
"Hence, I use my my position of privilege to be of service as much as I can where and when needed. I have always had a very good relationship with Craig, and I respect and appreciate all the effort he puts into making the Australian Open a place to look forward to coming back to each year.
"In our email exchange I used an opportunity to brainstorm about potential improvements that could be made to the quarantine of players in Melbourne that were in full lockdown."
Canadian player Vasek Pospisil, who is one of those locked down in Melbourne, replied to Djokovic's post saying: "Well said! Players grateful for the leadership."
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Djokovic's compatriot Nina Stojanovic said: "Huge respect!" before thanking him in Serbian, while Damir Dzumhur said: "Gentleman as always! Huge respect for this man. Thanks for always standing behind all the players."
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