Novak Djokovic has donated nearly £1 million to aid the fight against coronavirus in Serbia.

The world number one joins the list of sportspeople who are contributing financially to help fund supplies for emergency services, including fellow tennis stars Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

Djokovic is known for his charitable efforts through the Novak Djokovic Foundation, a charity organisation run by his wife Jelena.

The 17-time Grand Slam winner announced his pledge today (Friday 27), contributing £897,000 to aid the fight in his native country Serbia.

457 positive cases of Covid-19 have been reported in Djokovic’s native country but his financial support will allow for more medical equipment and ventilators to be purchased.

Speaking to Serbian media, Djokovic said: “I wish to express my gratitude to all the medical staff across the world and in my native Serbia for helping everyone infected by the coronavirus.

“Unfortunately, more and more people are getting infected every day. My wife Jelena and I are putting together a plan how to best donate our resources to people in need.

“Our donation is one million euros for the purchase of ventilators and other medical equipment.”

Djokovic will be out of action until at least June 7 with the tennis season postponed by the ATP and WTA.

The French Open has been rescheduled but Wimbledon is expected to be cancelled.

Elsewhere in the sporting world, Championship clubs Leeds United and Birmingham City have deferred their wages.

The second-division leaders have said they will give up part of their wages to ensure that all of their 272 full-time non-football staff can continue to be paid.

Birmingham City has said their players will defer half of their salaries for four months; meanwhile, League Two side Forest Green Rovers will use the government’s wage-support scheme to ensure all workers can continue being paid.