Djokovic says he presented awards to children on 17 December while awaiting PCR test result but after negative rapid antigen test
Novak Djokovic has released a statement he says will be his last before the Australian government decides whether to re-cancel his visa.
In it, the world No 1 male tennis player blamed his agent for an incorrect declaration about his pre-flight travel and acknowledged an “error of judgment” in knowingly attending an event while Covid-positive.
18 November – the Australian government granted him a visa
16 December – he “was tested and diagnosed with Sars-CoV-2”
22 December – his second PCR test returned a negative result
1 January – he authorised his agent to submit his travel declaration
2 January – he received a border travel permit from the Victorian government
4 January – he flew from Spain to Melbourne via Dubai
5 January 11.30pm – he arrived in Melbourne
6 January – his visa was cancelled
14 December – he attended a basketball game in Belgrade after which it was reported that a number of people tested positive with Covid
16 November – he took a rapid antigen test which was negative and a PCR test
17 December – he attended a tennis event in Belgrade to present awards to children, after testing negative again on a rapid test. “I was asymptomatic and felt good, and I had not received the notification of a positive PCR test result until after that event,” Djokovic wrote
18 December – despite now knowing he had tested positive, he attended his tennis centre in Belgrade to uphold a “long-standing commitment for a L’Equipe interview” because he “felt obliged” to and “didn’t want to let the journalist down”