Novak Djokovic has placed the blame on his agent regarding his initial inability to leave a room where he was isolating upon entering Australia last week.
However, the Serbian tennis star has conceded that he made an “error of judgement” by opting against cancelling a pre-scheduled interview with a L’Equipe journalist after he tested positive for Covid-19.
The world number one took to Instagram to admit that he attended a children’s tennis event the day after he was tested for the virus.
“I had not received the notification of a positive PCR test result until after that event,” the statement said.
“The next day, on 18 December I was at my tennis centre in Belgrade to fulfil 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, who is seeking a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title in Melbourne this month, attributed the issues with his travel declaration to “human error” on the part of his agent.
“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.”
Australian immigration minister Alex Hawke is still considering whether to opt against upholding the decision to allow the global superstar to remain in the country after he won his court battle against the Australian Border Force.
