Novak Djokovic enjoys Marbella beach after breaking coronavirus lockdown rules to play on clay tennis court

NOVAK DJOKOVIC headed to the beach in Marbella to relax just days after inadvertently breaking coronavirus lockdown rules by playing tennis on a clay court.

The Serbian, 32, is staying at his holiday home in Spain with his family and was pictured in a pair of green shorts and flip flops with a pink towel on Thursday.

Lockdown measures were eased in Spain last week, allowing children outside and people to visit the beaches.

And the world No1 made the most of the increased flexibility to relax beside the sea.

But Djokovic came in for criticism earlier in the week after having a hit on a court in the seaside town.

He took to Instagram to share a video of him and another man enjoying a rally at the Puente Romano tennis resort.

The 17-time Grand Slam champ wrote: “So happy to play on clay… well, just for a bit with my phone in the hands.”

But the resort was forced to apologise after allowing Djokovic to play – because the lockdown measures still did not permit tennis to take place.

Spanish authorities allowed professional athletes to resume training on May 4 but after clarification, it was confirmed that public tennis clubs had to wait until May 11 to reopen.

Puente Romano said in a statement: “On the understanding that from May 4 all professional sports players were authorised to train, Djokovic was permitted to train in our facilities.

“Uncertainties regarding the new Ministerial Order that was published were sent to the Spanish Tennis Federation, and subsequently they have confirmed that the use of the Tennis Club is not possible until May 11.

“This clarification has been shared with Djokovic, and both parties have agreed that training should resume from this date.

“We are sorry that our interpretation of the regulation could have been erroneous, and this could have inconvenienced Mr Djokovic or any other citizen acting in good faith.”

During the lockdown, Djokovic has been keeping himself busy with a series of Instagram Live chats with the likes of Andy Murray and Maria Sharapova.

He also trusted wife Jelena to give him a haircut with no barbershops open – and he was pleasantly surprised with her efforts.

The pair also took on Andy and Kim Murray’s couple volley challenge with Novak finishing it off with a stunning trick, catching the ball in his pocket.

But with the tennis season still suspended, there are questions marks over Djokovic’s return.

He is against taking vaccinations – although later admitted he could be open to doing so – but ATP rules could impose a ruling to force all players into being vaccinated against coronavirus if and when one becomes available.

Fellow star Rafael Nadal issued a stark warning to his long-term rival: either get vaccinated or don’t play.

He said: “Djokovic will have to be vaccinated if he wants to keep playing tennis at the top level. The same for me.

“Everyone will have to follow the rules, just like now we have to stay at home.

“If the ATP or the International Tennis Federation obligates us to take the vaccine to play tennis, then we will have to do it.

“It’s about following the rules, nothing more than that.”