Despite testing positive for Covid, tennis star Novak Djokovic has acknowledged that there were errors on his immigration papers and meeting a journalist, as Australia considers deporting him.
In an Instagram post to set the record straight regarding “continuing misinformation,” Djokovic explained.
The number one man on the ATP tour is hoping to compete in the Australian Open next week. But his presence has been overshadowed by a debate over his visa status.
Novak Djokovic, who is unvaccinated, had his visa revoked on January 6th when he arrived in Australia amid concerns about the vaccine exemption that would have allowed him to enter.
On Monday, a judge reversed the previous decision and ordered the player’s release from detention.
But, the government has not ruled out further punitive measures, and the country’s immigration minister may do so once again just a few days before the competition begins.
The visa may be canceled based on previous Covid infections, which would not count as an exemption.
Although Djokovic’s visa is valid until the end of 2021, it could be revoked based on an examination of his paperwork and potential breaches of Serbia’s Covid regulations.
If Djokovic wins the Australian Open, he will tie Margaret Court for most grand slam titles. He’ll also be the best male tennis player in history if he wins it.
Djokovic revealed he had an interview with the French title L’Equipe, despite the fact that he “didn’t want to let the journalist down.”
He described how he had avoided people and used a mask only when his picture was being taken.
According to L’Equipe, the tennis player took off his mask for only five minutes during a game before returning it.
According to the journalist Franck Ramella, he had been instructed not to inquire about Djokovic’s vaccination status or the next Australian Open because “therefore, I did not ask if he had considered taking a test.”
“Even if we were to inquire, what would be the point?” Mr Ramella said.
Novak Djokovic has said he may face charges for failing to declare his passport at the Australian Open in January when he was traveling from Singapore to Melbourne.
He also admitted to making a false statement on his travel form and stated that his crew had supplied further information to officials.
He said that a mistake had been made by his agent when completing a portion of the form dealing with his recent travel history. He had not gone anywhere in the 14 days preceding his arrival in Australia, according to the form.
However, there are reports claiming that the 34-year-old had already gone to Serbia and then Spain before his journey.
“I’m very sorry that the error in my agent’s paperwork has caused you all of this trouble,” he apologized. “This was a human mistake, and it was not done on purpose.”
He denied attending two events while being ill with Covid: the unveiling of a Djokovic stamp and an awards ceremony that was attended by youngsters.
On December 16, he announced on Instagram that he had taken a PCR test after attending a basketball game two days prior, where many individuals subsequently tested positive.
After attending the Australian Open and the Apia International Sydney, Novak Djokovic announced that he had undergone a rapid antigen test before both events. He was informed of his PCR result only after attending the awards ceremony on December 17th.
The Australian Border Force is investigating whether he made a “false declaration,” which would be grounds for the visa’s cancellation.
Players on the men’s professional tennis tour have called for more clarity of the rules in order to compete in Australia, and they’ve urged players to get vaccinated.
It feels like the story gets murkier with each revelation.I was watching Novak Djokovic train this morning. Everyone’s phone lit up immediately after we departed the court.
Djokovic addressed two issues in his statement.
The first is about his Covid19 infection. While acknowledging he had violated isolation protocols has little bearing on his deportation prospects, it does not appear favorable.
This is a well-known Australian athlete who has publicly stated his opposition to vaccination and has now admitted to breaking isolation regulations while infected.
The second most important admission is that he supplied incorrect information in his travel declaration form.
The error was written down in the codes, although Djokovic called it a human blunder. Will border guards accept this excuse? We know they’re now reviewing the information provided by Novak’s camp.
There are still no guarantees that he’ll be able to defend his title at the Australian Open, which begins in a few days.