The world's top-ranked tennis player Novak Djokovic and his wife Jelena have tested negative for the coronavirus, nine days after returning a positive test following his exhibition tennis tournament, said his media team on Thursday.

The couple had been self-isolating for the past 10 days upon returning from Zadar, Croatia, and felt no symptoms of the COVID-19, according to the statement.

Four players – Djokovic, Grigor Dimitrov, Borna Coric and Viktor Troicki – tested positive for the coronavirus during the "Adria Tour" charity tennis event hosted by Djokovic, which was canceled for the remaining after his diagnose.

The tournament has good intentions  since it was organized to help support humanitarian projects across the Balkan region, and was respecting the local government's rules in regards to COVID-19. 

However, the lack of strict precaution measures led to its eventual downfall.

Players had embraced across the net, played basketball and even danced in a nightclub during the week of the first leg played in Belgrade.

Djokovic was widely criticized for hosting the tournament.

The 17-times Grand Slam champion issued an apology following his contraction, saying he was "so deeply sorry" that the tournament "caused harm".

"Everything we did in the past month, we did with a pure heart and sincere intentions," said Djokovic. 

"The Tour has been designed to help both established and up and coming tennis players from South-Eastern Europe to gain access to some competitive tennis while the various tours are on hold due to the COVID-19 situation."

(Cover image: Star tennis player Novak Djokovic talks to his wife Jelena during a match at the Adria Tour in Belgrade, Serbia, June 14, 2020. /VCG)