Wednesday January 12, 2022
“Human error”
Djokovic comments on his corona test
Novak Djokovic says he tested positive for Corona in December. But why didn’t the tennis star go into quarantine? Now the athlete takes a stand for the first time, speaks of both “misinformation” and a “human error”. And his mother also speaks up.
With a long statement via Instagram, Novak Djokovic himself expressed himself publicly for the first time since his entry problems to Australia, but caused further contradictions. The 34-year-old number one in the tennis world rankings defended himself against two allegations in particular around another training session in Melbourne Park: Neither did he intentionally give false information about his travel behavior in the 14 days before the flight to the host country of the Australian Open, knowing his positive corona test, he still attended an event with children in December and moved there without a mask.
Djokovic described the “misinformation” that needed to be corrected as “hurtful and worrying to my family”. He wants to point out that he has tried very hard for the safety of others and compliance with test specifications. It was important to him to clarify all of this, but he would not comment on the incidents out of respect for the Australian government.
At the event with children, at which he appeared without a mask on December 17th, according to previous information in the court documents, one day after “test and diagnosis”, he had not yet known about the positive result. On December 16, he had a negative antigen test and, out of sheer caution, also a PCR test. “I had no symptoms and felt fine and I received the news of the positive PCR test only after the event,” wrote Djokovic.
Appointment with ‘L’Equipe “not canceled
However, the Serb also admitted that he already knew about his positive test result in an interview with the French sports newspaper “L’Equipe” on December 18, and that he still did not cancel the appointment. He just kept his distance and only removed his mask for the photographer. “Although I went home after the interview and went into isolation for the prescribed length of time, after thinking more carefully, that was a misjudgment and I understand that I should have postponed this commitment,” he wrote. The third public event, which is documented with photos and videos, an honor with a postage stamp in his favor, he did not mention in his statement.
The fact that it was incorrectly stated in his entry form that he had not traveled in the 14 days before his flight to Australia was described by Djokovic as a “human error” by his agent, “which was certainly not intentional”. “My agent sincerely apologizes,” he added.
Djokovic was refused entry to Australia at Melbourne Airport last week because he was not vaccinated against the coronavirus and the documentation of his medical exemption was insufficient for the authorities. Because the border officials had not given him the agreed time to clarify, the decision was overturned during a court hearing on Monday. The Australian immigration minister has since reserved the right to make use of his personal rights and still invalidate Djokovic’s visa. That decision is still pending.
Djokovic’s lawyers provided more information and documents on the matter, said the tennis pro and a spokesman for Minister Alex Hawke. “Naturally, this has an impact on the time frame for a decision,” said Australian media from the ministry. The visa could be canceled for both criminal and character reasons, said immigration law expert Christopher Levingston, according to AFP.
“He’s not a murderer”
Dijana Djokovic meanwhile urged the Australian government not to revoke her son’s visa at the last minute and let him play the tournament. “Don’t throw him out. He’s not a politician, he’s a tennis player. He’s not a criminal, he’s not a murderer,” she told Channel 7. She stressed that it was not fair that Hawke was alone on the right to stay may determine her son. “I don’t understand how one man can make this decision.”
Dijana Djokovic said that she could hardly sleep because of all the stress. “If he’s healthy and his PCR test is negative, why can’t he play?” She asked. “We all pray that he can stay.” The fact that her son was not vaccinated against Corona is his “own philosophy of life”. Everyone in the world has the opportunity to make this choice, “it is a human right”.