Novak Djokovic has admitted to breaking isolation while COVID positive.
Novak Djokovic has admitted to breaking isolation while COVID positive
The 34-year-old tennis star - who is currently in Australia and hoping to play in the Australian Open next week - took to social media to share a statement to clarify "continuing misinformation".
Djokovic has admitted attending a newspaper interview after testing positive, insisting he "didn’t want to let the journalist down", but the sportsman now admits that was an "error of judgement".
The star - who is unvaccinated - wrote: "I want to address the continuing misinformation about my activities and attendance at events in December in the lead up to my positive PCR COVID test result.
"This is misinformation which needs to be corrected, particularly in the interest of alleviating broader concern in the community about my presence in Australia, and to address matters which are very hurtful and concerning to my family.
"I want to emphasise that I have tried very hard to ensure the safety of everyone and my compliance with testing obligations.
"I attended a basketball game in Belgrade on 14 December after which it was reported that a number of people tested positive with COVID 19.
"Despite having no COVID symptoms, I took a rapid antigen test on 16 December which was negative, and out of an abundance of caution, also took an official and approved PCR test on that same day.
"The next day I attended a tennis event in Belgrade to present awards to children and took a rapid antigen test before going to the event, and it was negative.
"I was asymptomatic and felt good, and I had not received the notification of a positive PCR test result until after that event.
"The next day, on 18 December I was at my tennis centre in Belgrade to fulfill a long-standing commitment for a L’Equipe interview and photoshoot. I cancelled all other events except for the L’Equipe interview.
"I felt obliged to go ahead and conduct the L’Equipe interview as I didn’t want to let the journalist down, but did ensure I socially distanced and wore a mask except when my photograph was being taken.
"While I went home after the interview to isolate for the required period, on reflection, this was an error of judgement and I accept that I should have rescheduled this commitment."
Djokovic had his Australian visa revoked on January 6th after arriving Down Under, and he was detained at an immigration facility, but that was overturned by a judge on Monday (10.01.22).
However, it has been revealed that on his travel declaration form a box was ticked claiming he hadn't visited any other countries in the 14 days prior to his flight to Australia.
The star has since insisted his agent ticked the "no" box by mistake, putting it down to "human error".
He added: "On the issue of my travel declaration, this was submitted by my support team on my behalf – as I told immigration officials on my arrival – and my agent sincerely apologises for the administrative mistake in ticking the incorrect box about my previous travel before coming to Australia.
"This was a human error and certainly not deliberate. We are living in challenging times in a global pandemic and sometimes these mistakes can occur.
"Today, my team has provided additional information to the Australian Government to clarify this matter.
"While I felt it was important to address and clarify misinformation I will not be making any further comment out of utmost respect for the Australian Government and their authorities and the current process.
"It is always an honour and a privilege to play in the Australian Open. The Australian Open is much-loved by players, fans and the community, not just in Victoria and in Australia, but around the globe, and I just want to have the opportunity to compete against the best players in the world and perform before one of the best crowds in the world."
The Australian government are yet to rule out further action against the Serbian star, and it is thought the country's immigration department could still cancel Djokovic's visa before the tournament begins.
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