The three-time major champ, speaking from the Battle of the Brits, give his take on what went down on the Adria Tour. Speaking after his first victory at the “Battle of the Brits,” Andy Murray has given his views on the Adria Tour fiasco that has left World No.1 Novak Djokovic and three other top players, as well as key support staff and family members, positive for Covid-19.
Murray says it isn’t surprising that the positive test results have occurred, given the lack of social distancing and testing that occurred over the last few weekends in Belgrade, Serbia and Zadar, Croatia.
“In hindsight, it’s not something that should have gone ahead,” Murray said, according to the UK Guardian. “It’s not surprising how many people have tested positive after seeing some of the images of the players’ party and the kids’ day. There was no social distancing in place.”
Murray says that, contrary to what many believe, the shockwaves of this isolated event might not have repercussions when it comes to holding the US Open in August.
“Some people have said maybe this has put the US Open in doubt—which it may well do. But the measures and the protocols they have in place at the USTA are different to Serbia and Croatia,” Murray said. “No fans for a start. Coronavirus doesn’t care about who we are or what we do. We need to respect it and respect the rules.”
"We need to respect it and respect the rules."
Watch @andy_murray give his take on the Adria Tour fiasco 🎥 👇 https://t.co/m0bZuIsFtm
— Tennis Majors (@Tennis_Majors) June 24, 2020
While Murray adds that the Adria Tour has been a massive net negative for the image of tennis, the positive is that we now know what a worst-case scenario looks like, both for top players, and the viewing public.
“I don’t think it has been a great look for tennis. The only positive is that, until it is safe to do so, we have no fans at the event to reduce the risk as much as possible.”
