Coronavirus: Novak Djokovic donates 1 million euros to buy ventilators in Serbia
By Team Newsable | First Published Mar 28, 2020, 2:56 PM IST'The fight is not easy, numbers are not pleasant, but I am convinced that we will manage to make it out of this stronger than before. It is important to remain united in this fight,' said Novak Djokovic after donating 1 million euros
Bengaluru: World No. 1 tennis player Novak Djokovic of Serbia has donated 1 million euros for the purchase of ventilators in his country in the fight against the deadly novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Djokovic and his wife Jelena Djokovic on Friday (March 27) said the ventilators will be procured through the Novak Djokovic Foundation.
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As the world battles against coronavirus, all sports events including tennis tournaments have been either cancelled or postponed. The 30-year-old Djokovic said “the fight is not easy” against the virus.
“The fight is not easy, numbers are not pleasant, but I am convinced that we will manage to make it out of this stronger than before. It is important to remain united in this fight, to help each other, so we can defeat this virus faster and easier. We would like to use this opportunity to invite everyone else to join us and help numerous families and people who need help to survive and get healthy again,” Djokovic, who has won 17 Grand Slam titles, said.
He added, “We will keep bringing people together, who are calling me every day and who want to join in. Not everyone can help, many are hit hard by this situation, but fortunately, there are many people and companies who can help. We will open a special account for this emergency situation, like we did the last time when we were hit by the floods. Novak Djokovic Foundation team is working like a well-oiled machine and we are ready to help.”
My wife and I have donated 1 million euros via for the purchase of medical equipment to help fight in Serbia. We are in this together.
Here’s our press conference where we share our message: https://t.co/hxA5DIFZDD pic.twitter.com/58O0c9XGRc
Global director and co-founder of Novak Djokovic Foundation, Jelena said, “You haven’t heard from us lately with a specific view on the ongoing situation that has trapped the entire world, for we took some time to take a careful analysis of the situation, both on our own and with our Novak Djokovic Foundation team. What has become clear to us is that this situation is going to be a marathon, rather than a speed race, and it would be good for us to rationally and strategically utilize both our strength and resources to be able to push through to the very end. In moments like this, having high-quality equipment is essential – ventilators – above all, which can save people’s lives.”
Earlier, Swiss tennis great Roger Federer had donated 1 million Swiss Francs to vulnerable families in Switzerland.
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