The dramatic saga surrounding Novak Djokovic continues to produce new information, twists, and turns. Having faced unrelenting criticism for attending events supposedly after receiving a positive test result, the world #1 has issued a statement in response.
Novak Djokovic Issues Statement On Covid Infection Timeline
The growing concern over Djokovic’s attendance of multiple events in the days following the 16th December has mounted into a frenzy across social media.
In the statement, the Serb has claimed that he attended a Basketball match on the 14th, where Covid cases were reported. He claims to have then taken both a rapid antigen and PCR test on the 16th, with the rapid one coming back negative.
The following day was the event in Belgrade that has been talked about most in the news, where children where present. The world #1 claims he took another rapid antigen test, which again came back negative. According to Djokovic, it was only until after the event that he received a positive result from his PCR test.
STATEMENT BY NOVAK DJOKOVIC
12 January 2022https://t.co/qhreHUYlQ8— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) January 12, 2022
He then goes on to admit that he still attended his interview with L’Equipe on the 18th, despite knowing he was positive. Though he cancelled the rest of the events that were planned for the day, he went ahead with the interview and photoshoot. He claims to have socially distanced and worn a mask throughout the interview, except for during the photoshoot.
L’Equipe’s account of the events back up this claim, but presents a slightly different framing of the photoshoot.
L’Equipe says Djokovic posed and screamed during the maskless trophy photoshoot.
L’Equipe also admits the interview came with precondition instructions: no questions about vaccination or his intentions regarding the next Australian Open.
“Very sensitive topic,” L’Equipe said.
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 12, 2022
Djokovic goes on to admit that this was a poor error of judgement and that he should have postponed the interview.
Djokovic then discusses the issues surrounding his documentation on when his infection occurred. He claims that his support team made the mistake, and that his agent accidentally ticked the incorrect box about his previous travel before arriving in Australia.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion ended his statement by saying that he would be providing no further comment on the matter, and that he wishes to have the best opportunity of playing in the Australian Open next week.
Main Photo from Getty.
