Bulgarian tennis player Grigor Dimitrov has tested positive for coronavirus, forcing the cancellation of an exhibition event in Croatia, where world No. 1 Novak Djokovic was to play in the final.
The player, ranked 19th in the world, announced his illness on Instagram on June 21.
Dimitrov wrote;
I want to reach out and let my fans and friends know that I tested positive back in Monaco for COVID-19. 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 want to reach out and let my fans and friends know that I tested positive back in Monaco for Covid-19. I am so sorry for any harm I might have caused. I am back home now and recovering.
Last weekend, Dimitrov, 29, played in the Serbia leg of an exhibition event organized by Djokovic, which took place in Belgrade, where the Serbian government has lifted most its coronavirus restrictions.
He also played in the second leg of the Balkans tournament in Zadar on Croatia’s Adriatic coast on Saturday.
The player however withdrew after losing to Borna Coric, due to complains of him feeling unwell.
Later on Sunday, the final between Djokovic and Russia’s Andrey Rublev was immediately cancelled as a precaution.
The Director of the exhibition event, Djordje Djokovic, the younger brother of Novak Djokovic, said event officials tried to respect all measures imposed by the governments of Croatia and Serbia.
He added that medical services were being organized to test all people who came in contact with Dimitrov.
