Novak Djokovic has said his agent made a mistake on his Australia entry form when providing details of his travel in the days before his arrival in the country.
In an Instagram post he said his “team has provided additional information to the Australian Government to clarify this matter”.
He also admitted being interviewed in person by a journalist from a French magazine in December even though he had tested positive for COVID the day before.
It comes as the Serbian player returned to practice on the tennis court, with photos showing him at Melbourne Park, the venue for the Australian Open – which starts on 17 January and for which Djokovic has been named the number one seed.
Further information submitted to Australian authorities
In his post, the world number one said he wanted to address the “continuing misinformation” about his movements after testing positive in December, before his arrival in Australia.
A key issue has been his Australia entry form and whether the tennis player might have incorrectly filled it out when he ticked a box indicating he hadn’t travelled in the 14 days prior to his arrival in Australia on 6 January.
A social media post appears to show Djokovic attended an event in Marbella, Spain, during the period in question.
Separate photos also show the world tennis number one at a training session in the country on 2 January.
In a lengthy Instagram statement Djokovic said: “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.
“Today, my team has provided additional information to the Australian Government to clarify this matter.
“While I felt it was important to address and clarify misinformation I will not be making any further comment out of utmost respect for the Australian Government and their authorities and the current process.”
Positive COVID test before interview
Djokovic also admitted attending an interview with French magazine L’Equipe the day after receiving his positive PCR result December because he “felt obliged to go ahead and conduct the L’Equipe interview as I didn’t want to let the journalist down”.
“While I went home after the interview to isolate for the required period, on reflection, this was an error of judgment and I accept that I should have rescheduled this commitment,” he wrote.
He said he received the positive result on 17 December, the same day as he had attended a tennis event in Belgrade to present awards to children.
However transcripts of Djokovic’s interview with Australian immigration officials and submitted to court in Melbourne, show that he told them the positive PCR result was on the 16th, the day before the Belgrade event.
‘The most difficult time for us’
Novak Djokovic’s mother has said she is worried that her son could still be deported from Australia and miss the first open of the year because he is not vaccinated against COVID-19.
Speaking to the Australian TV channel Network Seven from Belgrade, Dijana Djokovic said her family is hoping her son will get the chance to defend his title.
“He’s not a politician, he is not a criminal, he’s not a murderer, he’s just a tennis player, the best in the world. Just let him play,” she said.
She feels that Djokovic’s case should be a “closed book” after a judge said he could stay in Australia.
“I’m very worried, so I realise that this is not over yet and we are all praying that he will stay, and he will play,” Mrs Djokovic said.
Follow the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
“I don’t think it’s fair. At least, Judge, Honourable Judge Kelly, he decided, he make a decision that he is free, so I cannot understand how one man can, you know, make the other decision. But I don’t know your laws in your country, so I really don’t understand.”
The tennis star has reiterated his intention to compete in the open, writing that “it is always an honour and a privilege to play in the Australian Open”.
Transcript of Australia Border Force interview shows tennis star’s shock at visa cancellation
“I just want to have the opportunity to compete against the best players in the world and perform before one of the best crowds in the world.”