Novak Djokovic admitted that he broke the quarantine after he tested positive for him Covid-19 last month.
In a lengthy post on social media, he described his move as a "wrong judgment" and admitted that he had met a journalist for an interview two days after he tested positive for Covid-19 on December 16th. "I accept that I had to reprogram it," he wrote.
It was revealed that Novak Djokovic had met a journalist from the French L 'Equipe on December 18, two days after he tested positive, on the 16th of the same month.
Novak Djokovic admitted that he went to the interview and spoke to the journalist wearing a mask and, as he says, keeping his distance from social media, while he took off his mask for the photo shoot, as it became known two days ago from information broadcast by the BBC.
Regarding the event he attended on December 17, he supported and was seen without a mask with dozens of children around him, at an awards ceremony in Belgrade, claiming that he had not yet received the result of the positive PCR (which he had done on December 16 and had come out seven hours later the same day as mentioned in the relevant document that was leaked) and that before getting to the event he underwent a rapid which was negative.
In the post, he also blamed his agent, saying that he made a mistake in the travel form he used to enter Australia. Djokovic, who is unvaccinated, hopes to defend his title at the Australian Open next week. His visa was revoked on January 6, shortly after his arrival in the country, amid questions about the exemption from the vaccine that would allow him to enter. On Monday, however, the judge overturned the decision and ordered his release from the detention center. However, the government has not ruled out further action - and it remains possible for the country's Immigration Minister to cancel his visa for a second time just days before the start of the tournament.
The statement of Novak Djokovic in detail
"I want to refer to the constant misinformation regarding my activities and my presence at events in December before the positive PCR test for COVID. This misinformation needs to be corrected, especially in the interest of the authorities and the community in Australia, and I need to talk about an issue that hurts my family. I want to emphasize that I tried very hard to ensure the protection of everyone after my result.
I was present at a basketball match in Belgrade on December 14th where I was later informed that a number of people tested positive for the coronavirus. Although I had no symptoms, I did a rapid test on December 16, which was negative, and due to increased attention I did a formal and approved PCR test 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, feeling well and had not received any information about the positive PCR test until after the event.
The next day, on December 18, I was at a tennis court in Belgrade to fulfill an obligation I had long enough for an interview and photo shoot with the newspaper L'Equipe. I canceled all other events except this interview.
I felt compelled to proceed with the interview because I did not want to disappoint the journalist but I made sure to have a safe distance and wear a mask except at the time of the photo shoot. "When I went home after the interview, I was isolated for a certain period of time and I realize that it was wrong in my judgment and I accept that I had to reschedule that obligation."
On the subject of my travel statement, it has been reported by me and my team, as I told immigration officials upon arrival, and my agent apologized for the mistake made by ticking the wrong box, regarding my previous trips before going to Australia. It was a human error and not intentional. We live in difficult times in the midst of a global pandemic and sometimes these mistakes happen. Today my team provided additional information to the Australian Government to clarify the matter. Although I felt it was important to address the issue and clear up the misinformation, I will not comment further in respect of the Australian Government, the Authorities and the current proceedings. It has always been my honor 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 world 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: iefimerida