More words, fewer words, the time has come Novak Djokovic (Victoria Azarenka had already done so) to express her “quarantine” feelings through a letter. With the greatest possible will to collaborate on the best development of the Australian Open, number one assured her that her only intention has always been to help, never to want to put more obstacles in her way.
Nole’s open letter:
Australia,
In light of recent media and social media criticism for my letter to Craig Tiley (director of the Australian Open tournament), I would like to clarify a few things. My good intentions for my fellow competitors in Melbourne have been interpreted for minutes as selfish, difficult and ungrateful.
This could not be further from the truth. Not all acts are taken literally, and sometimes when I see the consequences of things, I tend to wonder if I should just sit back and enjoy my benefits instead of paying attention to the struggles of others. people. However, I always choose to do something and be helpful despite the challenging consequences and misunderstandings.
I really care about my fellow playersis and I also understand very well how the world is handled and who gets bigger and better and why. I have earned my privileges by force, and for that I find it very difficult to be a mere spectator knowing how much I cared for every help, gesture, and kind word when I was small and insignificant in the world hierarchical order.
Therefore, I use my privileged position to serve as much as I can where and when needed. I have always had a very good relationship with Craig, and he respects and appreciates all the effort he puts into making the Australian Open a place to look forward to returning each year. In our email exchange, I took the opportunity to exchange ideas on possible improvements that could be made to the forty players in Melbourne who were completely blocked.
There were some suggestions and ideas I got from other players in our chat group and there was no harm in intending to help. I knew there was little chance that any of our suggestions would be accepted, just as my request for quarantine with my team in Melbourne instead of Adelaide was denied before our trip, due to strict government regulations. As I could not be with other players in Melbourne, I made myself available to them if necessary.
I understand that organizing international sporting events during a pandemic poses risks to the health of the local community and the players themselves. So, I would like to express my total gratitude to Tennis Australia, To the Australian government and local citizens for being willing to take this risk with us for the love of the game and the many opportunities it offers to the country’s economy and its people.
It is an honor and we will all do our best to follow the established guidelines and protocols. We hope to be able to nourish our bodies and be radiant for the endurance and physical and mental strength tests we have ahead of us once the competition begins. Things in the media intensified and there was a general impression that the players (including me) are ungrateful, weak and selfish because of their nasty feelings in their forties.
I am very sorry that I have come to this because I know how grateful many are. We all came to Australia to compete. Not being able to train and prepare before the tournament starts is not at all easy. None of us ever questioned 14 days of quarantine despite what the media says. I really want to play in front of people and join the frenzy of tennis and the energy of the city that has always led me to many victories. I am also looking forward to seeing all my fellow players together in Melbourne.
I am impressed by the many messages of gratitude and love he has received over the last few days. Wishing them all health and love, Novak.