Novak Djokovic's written statement on social media and the admission that he "broke" the quarantine last month when he tested positive for coronavirus, meeting an L Equipe journalist for an interview, seems to put the Serb in an even more awkward position.
According to reports in the Sydney Morning Herald and the Age, the Australian Home Affairs Department's investigation into the Serb has now widened to include additional evidence such as the violation of quarantine rules in Serbia, the inaccurate claim in his declaration of entry into the country and "blurred points" as to the date he was diagnosed positive for coronavirus.
Immigration Minister Alex Hock is focusing mainly on whether the certificate of infection is an excuse for not vaccinating the Serb, but at the same time it is possible that the additional evidence could act as an aggravating factor. The "saga" of the unvaccinated Novak Djokovic is heading into day 7 and it is still unknown whether Hawk will use his legal authority to cancel the Serbian tennis player's visa. It will be recalled that the 9-time Australian Open holder has expressed his desire to stay in Melbourne and compete in the tournament, but it is out of his hands.
Novak Djokovic wanted to give his own explanation for what has come to light regarding the coronavirus tests he underwent in December. The Serbian tennis player posted on his personal Instagram account a series of snapshots that correspond to the timeline of events with his PCR test on December 16, in which he confirms that he actually travelled overseas in the two weeks prior to his arrival in Australia. It appears that these were the additional documents provided to the government that delayed Immigration Minister Alex Hawke's decision on whether to remain in the country and compete in the Australian Open.
In essence, the world No. 1 tennis player admits that on December 14 he attended a basketball match where several players tested positive for COVID-19 and claims that two days later, despite having no symptoms, he took two tests which came back negative. He also tested negative the following day when he attended an awards ceremony for children. Shortly thereafter, as she describes, she was informed that the PCR she had undergone came back positive and admitted that it was a "mistake" the next day to give an interview to LEquipe. He also admits that ticking the wrong box about his previous travels before Australia was his agent's and was human, he says.
The statement released a few hours ago by Djokovic
"I want to address the constant misinformation regarding my activities and attendance at events in December before the positive PCR test for COVID. This misinformation needs to be corrected, especially for the interest of the authorities and the community in Australia and for me to speak out on an issue that is hurting my family. I want to stress that I tried very hard to ensure everyone was protected after my results.
I attended a basketball game in Belgrade on 14 December where I was subsequently informed that a number of people tested positive for coronavirus. Although I had no symptoms, I did a rapid test on 16 December, which was negative, and due to increased caution I also did an official and approved PCR test on the same day.
The next day I was at a tennis event where I gave prizes to children and even did a rapid test before the event and the result was negative. I was asymptomatic, felt fine and did not receive any information about the positive PCR test until after the event.
The next day, December 16 was at a tennis court in Belgrade to fulfill an obligation I had for quite some time for an interview and photo shoot with L'Equipe. I cancelled all other events except for this interview.
I felt obliged to go ahead with the interview because I didn't want to disappoint the journalist but I made sure I kept a safe distance and wore a mask except for the moment of the photo shoot. When I went home after the interview, I isolated myself for a certain amount of time and I realize it was a lapse in judgment and I accept that I had to reschedule that obligation."
The tennis player continues regarding the issue of his travel before going to Australia:
"On the issue of my travel declaration, it has been raised by me and my team, as I told the immigration officials on my arrival, and my agent has apologised to me for the mistake of ticking the incorrect box, regarding my previous travels before going to Australia. It was an unforced error and not intentional. We live in difficult times in the midst of a global pandemic and sometimes these mistakes happen. Today my team gave additional information to the Australian Government to clarify the matter. Although I felt it was important to raise the issue and clear up the misinformation, I will make no further comment out of respect for the Australian Government, the authorities and this process. It has always been an honour to play in the Australian Open. It is an event that is loved by the players, the fans, the community not only in Victoria and Australia but all over the planet and I just want to have the opportunity to compete with the best in the world in front of some of the best fans in the world."
Source: protothema.gr
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