Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic has defended tennis star Novak Djokovic after he was widely criticised for staging the Adria Tour.

The event took place in Zadar, Croatia and there were multiple examples of players and spectators flouting social distancing guidelines amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

As a result, Djokovic and fellow Adria Tour participants Grigor Dimitrov, Borna Coric and Viktor Toicki have all contracted Covid-19.

Despite the widespread criticism of Djokovic, fellow Serbian sportsman Matic has defended the world No, 1, telling Sky Sports : "People need to understand that the situation in Serbia was better than here [in England].

Nemanja Matic has defended Novak Djokovic after the tennis star was criticised for staging the Adria Tour amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic

"The country allowed everyone to do whatever they want, everything was open, the shopping centres and the restaurants.

"So they started to live normal lives because our country was closed for three months completely. You were not allowed to walk on the street, you couldn't leave your home, so it was different [than England].

"When they opened they said, 'you are more than free to do whatever you want'.

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Novak Djokovic has tested positive for coronavirus
Novak Djokovic has tested positive for coronavirus

"Before that tournament, there was a game with 20,000 people and nobody said anything about that.

"I just wanted to say that it is not his fault that he made the tournament, he just wanted to help the players play competitions. I don't see that he (did) something wrong."

A statement from Djokovic earlier this month confirmed his wife has also tested positive, reading: "The moment we arrived in Belgrade we went to be tested.

"My result is positive, just as Jelena’s, while the results of our children are negative. Everything we did in the past month, we did with a pure heart and sincere intentions.

"Our tournament meant to unite and share a message of solidarity and compassion throughout the region. Unfortunately, this virus is still present, and it is a new reality that we are still learning to cope and live with."