Novak Djokovic went for a barefoot walk; Serena Williams took her daughter to the zoo.
Both tennis megastars are thankful to sample some simple pleasures after being released from quarantine in Adelaide.
Djokovic and Williams were among tennis’ elite who quarantined in an Adelaide hotel ahead of exhibition matches in the South Australian capital on Friday.
“I want to thank again … police and health department officials for making this day possible,” world No.1 Djokovic said at a brief media call before the Memorial Drive exhibition event.
“Conditions were great for us, considering the circumstances.”
Djokovic immediately went for a stroll when released from hotel confines.
“A walk in the park, just putting bare feet on the ground,” he said.
“Just doing something that I didn’t have a chance to do. So just having space, that is what we all kind of missed.”
Williams had literally been crossing off the 14 days of quarantine on a calendar, having spent the time with her three-year-old daughter Olympia.
“We went to the zoo,” Williams said of her first movements outside of quarantine.
“I am so glad it’s over because to be in a room with a three-year-old and being her best friend is definitely difficult, especially after training and working out.
“Honestly, I wouldn’t trade anything, spending hours and hours and hours with her was really fun.”
Djokovic, Williams and others in the Adelaide exhibition event including Rafael Nadal, Dominic Thiem, Simona Halep and Naomi Osaka were allowed to train for five hours a day while in quarantine.
Australia’s world No.1 Ash Barty will also compete at Memorial Drive but wasn’t quarantined ahead of her Adelaide appearance on Friday night.