Novak Djokovic says his agent made a mistake in Australia travel statement
Novak Djokovic trains in Melbourne on Wednesday.
Photo:
LOREN ELLIOTT / REUTERS
SYDNEY— Novak Djokovic says his agent made a mistake on his passport before his trip to Australia, and admitted that he attended an event after receiving a positive Covid-19 test result last month.
On Wednesday, the men’s number one tennis player said on Instagram that his agent mistakenly said Djokovic would not be traveling for 14 days before his flight to Australia on January 5. His Instagram appears to show Djokovic based in Monte Carlo in Belgrade on December 25 and in Madrid on December 31.
“My agent sincerely apologizes for the administrative error in checking the incorrect box about my previous travel prior to arrival in Australia,” Djokovic said in the statement. “This was a human error and certainly not intentional.”
Crowds gathered to celebrate after a judge ordered tennis star Novak Djokovic to be released from custody ahead of the Australian Open. The ruling came after the Australian government canceled his visa, saying he was not exempt from the Covid-19 vaccination rules. Photo: Hamish Blair / Associated Press
Providing incorrect information on the Australian tourist form can result in fines or even jail time. On Wednesday, Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke was still considering whether to cancel Djokovic’s visa using the discretionary powers he has under the country’s immigration laws.
Djokovic has traveled to the country to compete in the Australian Open, which begins January 17.
Authorities canceled Djokovic’s visa once on the grounds that he was not exempt from rules that require travelers to Australia to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. A judge overturned the decision in Monday.
In the statement, Djokovic also said that he had participated in an interview and photographed with L’Equipe, a French sports newspaper, on December 18 after receiving a positive PCR test result.
“According to feedback, this is an error in judgment [and] I accept that I should have pushed back this commitment,” he said.
Djokovic said he has canceled other events.
Write letter for Stuart Condie at stuart.condie@wsj.com
Copyright © 2022 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All rights reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8
Appears on 12 January 2022, print edition as ‘Djokovic says agent faulty travel documents.’
https://www.wsj.com/articles/novak-djokovic-says-his-agent-made-mistake-on-australia-travel-declaration-11641958725 Novak Djokovic says his agent made a mistake in Australia travel statement
