"Everything we did in the past month, we did with a pure heart and sincere intentions. Our tournament meant to unite and share a message of solidarity and compassion throughout the region," Djokovic said in the statement first announcing that he and his wife had the virus.
The tennis pro apologized for “each individual case of infection” and said the event was set up when he thought the virus had "weakened, believing that the conditions for hosting the Tour had been met."
Djokovic added: "Unfortunately, this virus is still present, and it is a new reality that we are still learning to cope and live with. I am hoping things will ease with time so we can all resume lives the way they were."
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Several tennis players spoke out against the decision to move forward with the tournament, including Chris Evert, who tweeted: "I don’t understand… no safe distancing, total physical contact, no face masks, even the fans were without masks.. I don’t get it.. not smart…hope no one else tests positive. Get well Grigor."’
"Boneheaded decision to go ahead with the ‘exhibition’ speedy recovery fellas, but that’s what happens when you disregard all protocols. This IS NOT A JOKE," Nick Kyrgios added on Twitter.
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