Djokovic breaks silence over 'hurtful' accusations

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Novak Djokovic has deed retired astatine what helium calls "continuing misinformation" implicit his movements successful December, successful the aftermath of his affirmative COVID-19 test, portion besides admitting to an "error of judgement."

Djokovic tested affirmative connected December 16, but was seen successful nationalist successful the days instantly aft that diagnosis.

In a lengthy Instagram post, the satellite No.1 says the accusations helium flaunted the rules are "hurtful."

LIVE UPDATES: Serbia's PM says Djokovic PCR trial is simply a 'grey area'

"I privation to code the continuing misinformation astir my activities and attendance astatine events successful December successful the pb up to my affirmative PCR COVID trial result," helium wrote.

"This is misinformation which needs to beryllium corrected, peculiarly successful the involvement of alleviating broader interest successful the assemblage astir my beingness successful Australia, and to code matters which are precise hurtful and concerning to my family.

"I privation to emphasise that I person tried precise hard to guarantee the information of everyone and my compliance with investigating obligations."

The 20-time Grand Slam champion past outlined the series of events surrounding his affirmative trial successful mid-December.

"I attended a hoops crippled successful Belgrade connected 14 December aft which it was reported that a fig of radical tested affirmative with COVID-19.

"Despite having nary COVID symptoms I took a accelerated antigen trial connected 16 December which was negative, and retired of an abundance of caution, besides took an authoritative and approved PCR trial connected that aforesaid day."

Djokovic has been nether occurrence for attending an lawsuit connected December 17, a time aft helium tested positive, but the 34-year-old said helium had nary thought astatine the clip helium was positive.

Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said this greeting that it would beryllium a "clear breach" of Serbia's rules had Djokovic been retired and about aft investigating positive.

"The adjacent time I attended a tennis lawsuit successful Belgrade to contiguous awards to children and took a accelerated antigen trial earlier going to the event, and it was negative," Djokovic wrote.

"I was asymptomatic and felt good, and I had not received the notification of a affirmative PCR trial effect until aft that event."

The reigning Australian Open champion past gave a media interrogation the adjacent day, which helium present admits was a mistake.

"On 18 December I was astatine my tennis centre successful Belgrade to fulfil a long-standing committedness for a L'Equipe interrogation and photoshoot. I cancelled each different events but for the L'Equipe interview.

"I felt obliged to spell up and behaviour the L'Equipe interrogation arsenic I didn't privation to fto the writer down, but did guarantee I socially distanced and wore a disguise but erstwhile my photograph was being taken.

"While I went location aft the interrogation to isolate for the required period, connected reflection, this was an mistake of judgement and I judge that I should person rescheduled this commitment."

The Serbian prima has besides been under-fire for incorrectly stating connected his immigrations forms that helium hadn't travelled successful the 14 days anterior to his accomplishment successful Australia.

It was subsequently revealed that helium travelled from Belgrade to Marbella successful Spain to bid successful precocious December and aboriginal January.

"My cause sincerely apologises for the administrative mistake successful ticking the incorrect container astir my erstwhile question earlier coming to Australia," helium wrote.

"This was a quality mistake and surely not deliberate. We are surviving successful challenging times successful a planetary pandemic and sometimes these mistakes tin occur.

"Today, my squad has provided further accusation to the Australian Government to clarify this matter.

"While I felt it was important to code and clarify misinformation I volition not beryllium making immoderate further remark retired of utmost respect for the Australian Government and their authorities and the existent process.

"It is ever an honour and a privilege to play successful the Australian Open. The Australian Open is much-loved by players, fans and the community, not conscionable successful Victoria and successful Australia, but astir the globe, and I conscionable privation to person the accidental to vie against the champion players successful the satellite and execute earlier 1 of the champion crowds successful the world."

Djokovic has trained again connected Rod Laver Arena today, 24 hours aft a rival subordinate described the "uncomfortable" ambiance when the satellite No.1 entered the on-site gym.

"The spot went soundless with everyone staring," the subordinate said.

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