Novak Djokovic admits attending events after positive test

Novak Djokovic admits he attended an event and also gave an interview after testing positive

0
1050
Novak Djokovic said he was humiliated on the world stage

After days of speculation, Novak Djokovic has admitted that he attended events even after testing positive for the virus.

The World No 1 has received a medical exemption for the Australian Open because he contracted the virus on December 16.

ALSO READ: Bernard Tomic makes shocking claim during match

The following day, however, he appeared without a mask at the launch of a Serbian stamp bearing his image and at an event in Belgrade for young tennis players.

The player said he had a negative rapid antigen test on December 16 and then had the PCR test out of an “abundance of caution”.

“I was asymptomatic and felt good, and I had not received the notification of a positive PCR test until after that event,” he said.

Sharpen your forehand with our FREE guide

But Djokovic admitted that he also went ahead with an interview and photoshoot despite knowing about the positive test.

“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,” he said.

ALSO READ: ‘Biggest win of his career,’ says Novak Djokovic’s mother

“On reflection, this was an error of judgement and I accept that I should have rescheduled this commitment.”

Though Djokovic was allowed to enter Australia after a court order, there may be more diplomatic trouble for the tennis star.

ALSO READ: Naomi Osaka pulls out of semi-finals of Melbourne WTA

At immigration, he declared that he had not travelled anywhere in the last few days when in fact he had been training in Spain for the Melbourne major.

“On the issue of my travel declaration, this was submitted by my support team on my behalf,” Djokovic said on Instagram.

ALSO READ: Tennis Australia denies misleading players

“My agent sincerely apologises for the administrative mistake in ticking the incorrect box about my previous travel before coming to Australia.

Djokovic is set to defend his title at the Australian Open, which begins on January 17.

ALSO READ: Russian player barred from playing Australian Open

LEAVE A REPLY