"Love, strength and prayers" - Novak Djokovic heartbroken for Storm Dana victims struggling in eastern Spain
Novak Djokovic penned a heartfelt note for storm Dana victims. The deadly storm caused torrential rain and flash flooding in eastern and southern Spain last week.
In the aftermath of the flooding, many victims are struggling to find their missing loved ones while emergency services are strained with rescue and recovery operations. Spaniards are also suffering from extreme shortages amid a rising death toll along the Mediterranean coastline of the country.
Novak Djokovic took to Instagram to lend his support for the victims of the tragedy including for one of the worst-hit cities, Valencia. He used a simple white text on a black background with a black heart emoji and wrote:
"My heart goes out to the victims of the Valencia tragedy. sending love strength and prayers to all those affected." [translated from Serbian]
The 24-time Grand Slam champion has recently withdrawn from the ATP Finals after a runner-up finish at the Shanghai Masters. He joined his peers including Rafael Nadal to stand in solidarity with the victims reeling from storm Dana with the possibility of more rain coming their way.
Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic and others lend their support to storm Dana victims
Novak Djokovic followed Spanish players including 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz to send out words of encouragement and support to the survivors of storm Dana.
The Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca also suffered damages with courts flooded with rainwater. Nadal took to X to reach out to his compatriots facing similar hardships.
"Today has been a sad day with the suffering and pain caused by Dana in our country. Our hearts ache when we see the images. My love and encouragement to all those who have suffered the loss of family and friends. Strength and courage to all," Nadal wrote.
Carlos Alcaraz, who is competing in the ATP Finals in Turin, also expressed his concern for his countrymen.
"All my love to those who have lost loved ones due to Dana and much strength to those who continue to search for the missing," Alcaraz wrote on X.
Former Spanish player and Alcaraz's coach Juan Carlos Ferrero shared the details of the Un Set De Solidaridad, an initiative to collect funds for the victims through tennis clubs.
Apart from individual efforts, the Spanish government has also deployed helicopters, watercraft, trucks, food and emergency supplies to help deal with the crisis.