Paris (AFP)
"I am not worried about the presence or not of the virus in me", said on Saturday in Paris the world No.1 Novak Djokovic, carrier of the Covid-19 in June and who risks disqualification at Roland Garros in case of new positive test.
"I don't think about that right now. I have tested negative many times since I tested positive," said the Serbian as the Paris tournament, which starts on Sunday, will be played without Fernando Verdasco, disqualified for a positive Covid-19 control on his arrival in Paris and who says he has personally carried out three tests since, all negative.
However, the Spaniard explains that he tested positive on August 1 and then tested negative several times.
Djokovic came under fire in June for organizing a charity tournament, the Adria Tour, after which he and several other players from the Balkans (Grigor Dimitrov, Borna Coric, Viktor Troicki ...) were tested positive.
He then apologized.
"I think the international community does not know whether the virus can come back or not once it has already been had. Some countries say yes, others no. There is quite a lot of medical confusion over the advice. and the statements that everyone could hear ", put Djokovic in perspective.
At Roland Garros, the organizers set up a drastic protocol to guarantee health security: test on arrival, then 48 hours later, then every five days.
In the event of a positive result, the same sample is tested a second time and the player excluded if the positive result is confirmed.
But the nuance is not made for the "false positives" which would have developed antibodies since a previous contamination.
"Yes, I was tested" in Paris, "Nole" said.
I was tested several times in Rome, and again before coming to Paris to have the right to enter France.
I was tested once I got here, too.
I remained in isolation until the result arrived and I was allowed to train, like everyone else.
I will follow the same instructions as everyone else, ”Djokovic said.
At Roland Garros, which begins on Sunday, the Serbian sets out to assault an 18th Grand Slam title.
He has already won in 2016 in Paris.
© 2020 AFP