By Tony O’Riley-
Novak Djokovic has admitted attending an event with children while he was Covid positive, but said he didn’t know he was infected until shortly afterwards as he addressed questions about his positive Covid-19 test in mid-December.
His public statement comes amid claims in the German media of possible inconsistencies in the tennis star’s test results from Serbia, which could spark new visa problems for the world no. 1.
Djokovic made the admissions in an Instagram post to clarify “ongoing misinformation” about his movements. After a judge dramatically overturned the decision and ordered the release of the player from detention, the government announced it had not ruled out further action, and the possibility remains that the country’s immigration minister could cancel his visa for a second time just days before the tournament begins.
Djokovic has faced criticism for presenting awards to children at a tennis event in the Serbian capital Belgrade on December 17 – a day after testing positive to the virus, and for making a false declaration before landing Australia.
He said: ‘It was 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.
‘When I went home after the interview to isolate for the required period, on reflection, this was an error of judgment and I accept that I should have rescheduled this commitment.
‘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.
‘I felt obliged to go ahead and conduct the L’Équipe 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 taken,’ he said.
‘When I went home after the interview to isolate for the required period, on reflection, this was an error of judgment and I accept that I should have rescheduled this commitment.’
In an Instagram post on Wednesday, the 34-year-old lashed out at ‘misinformation’ and claimed it wasn’t until after the event that he learned he was Covid positive.
But the Serbian did own up to then conducting an in-person interview with French newspaper L’Équipe knowing he was positive, a mistake he put down to an ‘error in judgement’.
He also admitted his agent made an administrative error and accidentally ticked an incorrect box about his travel history.
Now, Australia’s immigration Minister Alex Hawke says he is considering cancelling the visa another time, as the fresh doubts emerged.
In an update to Australian media, Hawke’s spokesman acknowledged receiving ‘lengthy further submissions’ from the player’s lawyers.
‘Naturally, this will affect the timeframe for a decision,’ he said.
In his lengthy social media post, Djokovic wrote: ‘I want to address the continuing misinformation about my activities and attendance at events in December in the lead-up to my positive 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.’
Djokovic said he attended a basketball game on December 14 and then found out multiple people at the event had tested positive to the virus.
He said he took a rapid antigen test, which came back negative, and then an official PCR test the same day ‘out of an abundance of caution’.
‘I want to address the continuing misinformation about my activities and attendance at events in December in the lead-up to my positive 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 emphasize 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 to 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 until after that event.
The next day, on 18 December I was at my tennis centre in Belgrade to fulfil a long-standing commitment for a L’Équipe interview and photoshoot. I cancelled all other events except for the L’Equipe interview.
I felt obliged to go ahead and conduct the L’Équipe 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 taken’.