Kathmandu, January 13
Novak Djokovic admitted during a visit to Australia on Wednesday that he had made a mistake in submitting documents and did not stay in isolation for the time being.
Djokovic was diagnosed with Covid 19 infection on December 16. Although he had to stay in isolation for 14 days since then, a photo of him meeting a Serbian handball player during that period was made public. World number one Djokovic is aiming to win a record 21st Grand Slam.
The Australian government on Thursday revoked Djokovic’s visa for failing to provide evidence that he had been vaccinated against Covid 19. In a subsequent appeal, the court in Manilaburn issued an interim injunction not to immediately enforce the decision. In a final hearing in the same case on Monday, a Melbourne court overturned the Australian government’s decision to revoke Djokovic’s visa.
The Australian government’s immigration ministry said Djokovic’s visa could be revoked. The ministry said it was studying the documents submitted by Djokovic. ”The world is in the throes of an epidemic and sometimes such a mistake can happen,” Djokovic said in a statement.
Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke says the process of revoking Djokovic’s visa has begun and his goal of defending the Australian Open title is in jeopardy. Djokovic said there was no truth in reports that he had attended a public event instead of sitting in isolation after the Covid 19 infection was confirmed.
On the same day that the Covid 19 infection was confirmed, a picture of him participating in various public events was released. Djokovic has claimed that the PCR report came only after he returned from the program. But Djokovic claims to have gone for an interview and photo shoot on December 18 for the French magazine El Ecupe.
”I already had time for El Ecupe, so I don’t want to disappoint him. During the interview, I maintained a complete social distance and wore a mask, ”said Djokovic.” I took off my mask during the photo shoot. Yes, I made a mistake. I had to move the program to another date. ” My agent made a mistake while filling out the form during his visit to Australia.
By Karuna Thapa
