Melbourne (AFP)

Novak Djokovic posted an open letter to the Australian public on Twitter on Wednesday to "clarify" his proposals for the Australian Open, which drew him taunts and caused discontent.

"My good intentions towards my fellow players in Melbourne have been misinterpreted and seen as selfish, ungrateful. Reality couldn't be further from this," wrote the world No.1.

He was placed, along with the best players registered for the Australian Open, in a "VIP" health bubble in Adelaide, visibly less strict than that of Melbourne where the first Major of the year of the 8th will be played. to February 21.

"It is difficult for me to be a simple spectator knowing the importance that the smallest help and the smallest gesture had for me when I did not represent anything. That is why I use my privileged position to help of my better when I can be of use, "continues the Serb who created a players' union last summer, the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA).

Eight-time champion in Melbourne, a record, Djokovic, 33, has been sharply criticized for sending a list of proposals to the Australian Tennis Federation (Tennis Australia, TA) in an attempt to obtain an improvement in confinement conditions in Melbourne .

He mentioned in particular the provision of houses with tennis courts and better quality meals.

This attitude did not please a part of the Australian population who fears a resurgence of the Covid, while it underwent strict confinement from July to October.

Australian player Nick Kyrgios called Djokovic a "moron" and Swiss Stan Wawrinka joked about proposals made "from Adelaide? Ahhahah".

On Wednesday, Djokovic assured to have spoken on behalf of the players who were not treated as well as him and to have relayed "suggestions and ideas raised on our discussion group".

A total of 72 players are prohibited from leaving their rooms for two weeks, after cases of Covid-19 were detected on their plane to Australia.

The other players in Adelaide are allowed to leave their rooms for five hours a day to train under strict sanitary conditions.

Djokovic also assures that his letter to tournament director Craig Tiley was not a list of requests but "a reflection for possible improvements to the conditions of the strictest isolation."

"The situation ignited in the media and there was a general impression that the players, including myself, were ungrateful, weak and selfish, due to their poor mood related to quarantine." , says Djokovic.

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