Novak Djokovic issued a statement after the vaccination scandal
Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic made a statement after a scandal in Australia, where he was detained due to lack of vaccination against coronavirus. Djokovic posted a post on Instagram in which he told how it happened and explained why he appeared in public, although he was already sick with coronavirus.
I want to discuss the ongoing misinformation about my activities and participation in December events before I tested positive for coronavirus. This misinformation needs to be corrected, especially to reduce anxiety about my stay in Australia, as well as to address issues that are bothering and hurting my family.
Then Djokovic told in detail how he had passed antibody tests and PCR tests several times in Belgrade and they showed different results: at first, all the tests were negative, which is why Djokovic considered it possible to attend various events. Soon, a new PCR test turned out to be positive, but Djokovic did not cancel the planned interview and met with a journalist, which he now regrets.:
I felt I had to give an interview so as not to let the journalist down, but during it I kept my distance and was wearing a mask, except for the photo shoot. After the interview, I isolated myself at home, but now I think I made a mistake — the interview had to be postponed.
Djokovic also explained why he indicated incorrect information in the declaration when entering Australia. The declaration stated that he had not traveled in the previous 14 days, but later it became known that during this period Djokovic traveled to Spain. According to the tennis player, the declaration was filled out by his assistant, who accidentally ticked the wrong box:
It was a human error and, of course, unintentional.
Djokovic has faced problems entering Australia for the Australian Open tournament. His visa was cancelled at the airport because he had not completed the full course of vaccination required to enter the country. Djokovic provided a medical withdrawal from vaccination in the visa, but did not provide a justification for it, which was the reason for the cancellation of the visa. The athlete should have been deported immediately, but his lawyers filed an appeal. The first racket of the world waited for the court's decision for four days - in a hotel for migrants. As a result, the court overturned the decision to cancel the visa and let the athlete into Australia, but the authorities can still prevent the tennis player from the tournament, which will begin on January 17.
For Novak Djokovic, the Australian Open tournament is a landmark: he has won it nine times, a new victory will make him the record holder for the number of victories in Grand Slam tournaments in men's singles.
I think it is important to discuss this misinformation, but I will not comment further out of respect for the Australian authorities. It is always an honor for me to play at the Australian Open. Right now I just want to be able to compete with the best players on the court and perform in front of some of the best fans in the world,
- Djokovic wrote on Instagram.
