Novak Djokovic admits he broke COVID isolation rules by attending an interview and photoshoot after receiving a positive test last month.
The world number one tennis star still faces deportation ahead of the Australian Open as his visa saga rumbles on.
Djokovic has been released from detention to practice but his visa could yet be cancelledGetty
Despite winning a legal battle with the Australian Border Force after being placed in detention, it has since emerged that Djokovic gave false information on his travel declaration form.
In a statement posted on his Instagram page, the Serbian also says he attended a children’s tennis event the day after being tested, but insists he wasn’t aware of the positive result.
“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.
Djokovic was pictured at events in the days after testing positive on December 16Instagram
“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’s statement also addressed the widely reported discrepancy in his travel declaration, published by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia earlier this week.
The unvaccinated 34-year-old denied travelling within the past 14 days, when evidence has emerged to show he did.
He added: “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 has said a decision will not be made on Wednesday over whether to cancel Djokovic’s visa.
The world number one is the defending Australian Open champion and top seed, seeking a record 21st grand slam title.
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