German tennis star Alexander Zverev is slammed into a section of the tennis brotherhood after being seen celebrating in a private club in Monte Carlo at a time when he was supposed to be in quarantine following his participation in the infamous Adria tour.
Images and footage of Alexander Zverev partying in the crowded club with apparently no social distance guidelines were widely shared on social media created a sensation in the fraternity of tennis especially after tennis buddies tested the positive Covid-19 after their appearances at Novak Djokovic organized Tour Adria.
Unlike artists of the caliber of Novak Djokovic, Girgor Dimitrov, Borna Coric and Victor Troikic, Zverev tested negative for Covid-19 after the Adria Tour which took place in Belgrade and Zadar before the cancellation of the last scheduled stage for Bosnia.
Zverev turned to social media last week to apologize for participating in the Adria Tour and said he will isolate himself and follow all medical guidelines.
“I deeply apologize to anyone who potentially put you at risk by playing this tour,” said Zverev in a statement.
“I will continue to follow the self-insulating guidelines recommended by our doctors. As an added precaution, my team and I will continue with regular tests.”
However, the images and videos of Zverev’s parties were a shock to the tennis community which is eagerly awaiting the resumption of the professional tennis tour which has been suspended since March due to the pandemic.
Sascha Zverev six days ago after the Adria Tour coronavirus cluster:
“I deeply apologize to anyone who has put at risk … I will continue to follow the self-insulating guidelines … stay safe.”
Sascha Zverev four hours ago: pic.twitter.com/vqBXvYdxkv
– Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg), June 28, 2020
I mean. No doubt. Several different sources show Alexander Zverev at the Anjuna Plage Private Club in Monte Carlo. pic.twitter.com/sjZEx0i5n9
– Simon Häring (@_shaering) June 28, 2020
“This is my concern for tennis trying to return to the mid-pandemic: not that precautions cannot be taken, but that too many tennis players are conditioned to be wildly self-centered and have no idea how to act for the best interest of a larger group, “said tennis journalist Ben Rothernberg on social media after sharing the clip of Zverev’s party.
I am more outraged not by the fact that Zverev does not isolate himself, but by the fact that he is brazenly lying on social media just to preserve his image .. ??
– Vage (@vg_vahe) June 28, 2020
Really disappointing behavior, but another proof that the ATP tour cannot trust players to follow their rules. How come the referees think the big tournaments will work this year?
– Doris (@DorisLaRubia) June 28, 2020
Judging from all the footage from the past few weeks, I feel like ATP players are literally starting to introduce a new prize called “Which player is the most stupid and irresponsible?” #Djokovic #Thiem #Zverev
– Bagels and breadsticks (@bageIbreadstick) June 28, 2020
Philipp Plein has already canceled the frame of his Instastory which today clearly shows Zverev’s holidays.
Regardless of how lazy, sloppy and selfish players are following public health guidelines during the pandemic, they can definitely act quickly to cover their asses. ????
– Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg), June 28, 2020
The Adria Tour which led to several positive cases of Covid-19 among the elite of the tenis community is seen as a major setback for the tennis community at a time when all eyes are on the US Open, scheduled for August in the wake of the pandemic.
There were crowded stands in Belgrade during the opening stage of the Adria Tour. Players were seen to embrace and punch even the guidelines for social distancing became a norm across the country. There was the children’s day as part of the tournament. The players played basketball.
One of the most disturbing visual elements of the tour was Djokovic and his companions celebrating in a night club in Belgrade as if it were pre Covid 19 times.
