Thiem manager Herwig Straka: "What should he apologize for?"
Novak Djokovic , as the organizer of the Adria tour, is also identified as the main person responsible for the COVID-19 scandal. To what extent do the participants have to reproach themselves?
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Jun 25, 2020, 10:12 am
"No one who was there served as a role model. That is sad and right," Herwig Straka, member of the ATP board and manager of Dominic Thiem, said in an interview with standard.at . Straka rejects the accusation that nothing has yet been heard from Thiem, including no excuse. "What should he apologize for? Because he played along? The others apologize because they are positive."
After Grigor Dimitrov, Borna Coric, Victor Troicki and Djokovic themselves had tested positive for Corona .
In retrospect, it was clear "that it was nonsense" - even if it was allowed. "The only one who has to apologize is Djokovic because he staged everything. The others were just there, didn't kill anyone."
Straka blames Djokovic mainly - "the others took part, but he was very behind it," said the Vienna tournament director. "Originally from honorable motives, the focus was on the charity concept. But it went in the wrong direction, was misused as a publicity show. You have to blame Djokovic for that."
Straka about Thiem: "Perhaps more distance, maybe more luck"
In any case, other images had been in mind beforehand and clear guidelines had been demanded. It was listed there that a maximum of 1,000 spectators would come, as well as social distancing. "Only under these conditions did I release Dominic. That was two days before. They didn't stick to it, it was annoying for me."
Another point, for which Thiem had been criticized by several parties, is the waiver of a voluntary, 14-day quarantine, which the non-corona-infected Marin Cilic, Alexander Zverev or Andey Rublev also comply with. Such a quarantine was not planned for Thiem. "He can be tested regularly, is negative. Maybe he kept a bit more distance. Or he was just luckier."
Thiem will play the semi-final of the Generali Austrian Pro Series today, immediately afterwards to Nice for his second appearance at the Ultimate Tennis Showdown , followed by an invitation tournament to Berlin .
Thiem: Image damage?
Thiem's participation came about through the initiative of Djokovic himself. "He called her all the time." This is about relationships and friendships among the players, "you call Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal, you just come," said Straka.
However, he is not afraid of extensive image damage for Thiem. "He was not the guiding principle of the story, it was anything but ideal. No question. But it did happen, he has to and will learn from it. It was not a criminal act. Taking responsibility should have offered greater protection. But I think not that he lost massively. He plays tennis very well. If he keeps it up and the successes come again, he will serve as a role model. "