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Djokovic, Grigor Dimitrov, Borna Coric and
Viktor Troicki contracted the novel coronavirus after playing in
the Adria Tour, which drew big crowds and saw players pose for
pictures.
Lewis, who will step down as the CEO of All England Lawn Tennis
Club in July, told British media he hoped everyone made a speedy
recovery but that the mistakes of the event must not be
repeated.
"The images were disappointing and I think that ... what needs
to come out of it is everybody involved — not just players, but
administrators, organisers, entourages — understands that the
protocols, rules and regulations are in place for a reason.
"That's a really important lesson to learn."
The pandemic forced the suspension of the professional season in
early March and the 2020 Wimbledon championships were then
cancelled.
The U.S. Open is the next Grand Slam on the calendar and
organisers plan stringent measures to keep those taking part
safe. Some top players, including Djokovic, had initially called
those measures "extreme".
With the Serbian world number one heading the men's players
council, Lewis urged athletes to play a bigger leadership role.
"I would hope from an organisers' point of view — let's say the
U.S. Open and Roland Garros, but also the other international
tournaments — that protocols will be easier to enforce and
observed than they otherwise might have been," said Lewis.
"I sincerely hope that when international tennis tournaments
resume, the sport will be more disciplined and follow the
protocols in place at whatever tournament is being staged at the
time."
(Reporting by Sudipto Ganguly in Mumbai; editing by Peter
Rutherford)
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