Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates after he beats Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece in the final match of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship in Dubai. Photo / AP
Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates after he beats Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece in the final match of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship in Dubai. Photo / AP
World No. 1 tennis player Novak Djokovic, his wife and their foundation are donating AU$1.8 million to help buy ventilators and other medical equipment for hospitals in home-nation Serbia.
There are currently 528 positive cases of the coronavirus in the Republic of Serbia, as the global tally approaches 600,000 cases.
His wife, Jelena, is the global director of the Novak Djokovic Foundation. She says ventilators needed to help COVID-19 patients range in price from $18,000 to $90,000.
Djokovic says his foundation's staff "will be monitoring everything" to get equipment in place.
"I wish to express my gratitude to all the medical staff across the world and in my native Serbia for helping everyone infected by the coronavirus," Djokovic told Serbian media over a video conference.
"Unfortunately, more and more people are getting infected every day. My wife Jelena and I are putting together a plan how to best donate our resources to people in need."
The 30-year-old Djokovic shared the 11-minute press conference clip to his 7 million Instagram followers on Saturday.
"All the money will go towards the purchase of respirators, medical equipment, and any required supplies like masks," the caption read.
"I am fully aware of how much this crisis has impacted everyone on all fronts. I am touched by the generosity that keeps pouring from across the globe with the intention to give back and help in Serbia.
"I am very proud to be an athlete in these times, among many greats who have come forward to bring people together at a time when we are apart – to bring hope, community, and inspire others in the same way to use our platforms for good. This is what life is all about – giving."
Djokovic joins a list of elite athletes who have contributed to the fight against the coronavirus outbreak – on Wednesday, tennis superstar Roger Federer donated $1.7 million to vulnerable families in his home nation of Switzerland.
NeedToKnow3
UFC star Conor McGregor announced on Thursday he was purchasing $1.8 million in personal protective equipment for health care workers in hospitals in the Leinster region.
World No. 2 Rafael Nadal also helped raise approximately $20 million to help fight the pandemic.
Djokovic won the Australian Open in January for his 17th Grand Slam title. Among men, only Federer, with 20, and Nadal, with 19, have won more.
