Novak Djokovic Admits Testing Covid Positive In December, Blames Agent For Faulty Visa Paperwork

The world No 1 in an Instagram post statement on Wednesday called to squash “continuing misinformation” about his activities in December before he came to Australia.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia looks at his racquet during a practice session ahead of the Australian Open at the Melbourne Park tennis centre in Melbourne on January 12, 2022. | AFP

New Delhi: As the new Grand Slam season is set to begin with the commencement of the Australian Open 2022 on January 17, headlines are being grabbed by World Number One Novak Djokovic but not for tennis reasons.

The world No 1 in an Instagram post statement on Wednesday called to squash “continuing misinformation” about his activities in December before he came to Australia.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Novak Djokovic (@djokernole)

Embroiled in the visa controversy in Australia, the Serbian admitted to being tested covid positive but his visa application form for Australia was filled with wrong information which he termed as "human error" from his agent.

On the visa form, Djokovic said he had not traveled in the 14 days before his flight to Australia. However, multiple reports suggest he was spotted in Spain and Serbia in that two-week period.

Djokovic said he'd taken rapid tests that were negative in the days before he returned a positive on a test he undertook out of an abundance of caution because he was asymptomatic.

In a clarification statement on Wednesday, Djokovic addressed the travel declaration was submitted on his behalf by his support team. His agent sincerely apologises for the administrative mistake in ticking the incorrect box.

"This was a human error and certainly not deliberate", he wrote. 

Djokovic won a legal battle on Monday allowing him to stay in the country, but he still faces the prospect of deportation because he's not vaccinated against COVID-19.