Vienna
Thiem took part in the Belgrade leg of the exhibition event organised by Novak Djokovic, where the World No.1 and three other participants were tested positive for the coronavirus. At the Adria Tour, social distancing was minimal and matches were played in front of thousands of fans, earning a storm of criticism.
Thiem’s father, Wolfgang, who also trains the 26-year-old, defended Djokovic, telling Austria’s Presse daily that the 17-time Grand Slam champion had not broken any of Serbia’s and Croatia’s coronavirus rules and that the tour had aimed to collect money for charity.
“Of course, the dancing in the nightclub (during the tour) was not ideal. But, Djokovic did nothing bad in principle,” he was quoted as saying. “A few thousand euros are collected for a clinic treating children with cancer,” he added. However, he did not say to whom Thiem would donate his prize money. Earlier, 33-year-old Djokovic donated more than 45,000 euros to the Serbian town of Novi Pazar, which has been badly affected by the pandemic.
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