Djokovic says agent mistakenly ticked wrong box on Australia travel declaration, Latest Tennis News - The New Paper
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Djokovic says agent mistakenly ticked wrong box on Australia travel declaration

MELBOURNE (REUTERS, AFP) - Tennis star Novak Djokovic released a long statement on Wednesday (Jan 12), with details on why he was not in isolation after testing positive for Covid-19 in December and saying his agent made a mistake in filling out his Australian travel declaration.

The statement came as Australia's Immigration Minister Alex Hawke was considering whether to cancel the tennis world No. 1's visa ahead of the Australian Open, which starts on Jan 17, amid controversy over whether he was eligible for a medical exemption from the country's Covid-19 vaccine requirements.

Djokovic, who described the allegations as "very hurtful" to his family, said on Instagram that he only learnt of the Dec 16 test result the following day, after attending a youth tennis event.

"I want to emphasise that I have tried very hard to ensure the safety of everyone and my compliance with testing obligations," the Serb said in a statement on his Instagram account.

Amid questions about his Australian Travel Declaration where he had to state whether he had travelled within 14 days of coming to Australia, he said his agent accidentally ticked the wrong box on the form.

"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," Djokovic said.

His lawyers have provided a lot more information relevant to his visa, which will impact the timing of a decision by Australia's immigration minister on whether to cancel the visa, the minister's office said on Wednesday.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Novak Djokovic (@djokernole)

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