Sam Groth: Novak Djokovic will never admit any fault in the saga that has engulfed the Australian Open

When you’re trying to cover up a story, you often end up saying more than you want. But for all the statements, we are still waiting on two words from Novak Djokovic.

I’m sorry.

The two words missing from the statement Novak Djokovic put out on his Instagram in a bid to clear things up.

But I’m sorry suggests that you’re at fault doesn’t it?

He didn’t want to let the journalist down. He didn’t know he was positive before he met the kids. Come on. There’s a sworn affidavit to suggest the latter isn’t true.

There’s a lot being said by his camp that is not adding up.

But when you’re trying to cover up a story and you keep talking about it, you often end up saying more than you might want to. Inconsistencies always come out. And in this case the world is watching and analysing every detail.

Also the “human error claim” referring to his travel documents not being done right.

Waiting for an apology from Novak Djokovic? Don’t expect one any time soon. Picture: AFP

His job is literally to travel the world every week of the year. In doing so, as a tennis player, you have to respect each country’s laws and cultures.

And blaming the challenging times of a pandemic? That’s a cop out.

This is a professional team that has been travelling the world for almost two decades.

He’s trying to end this saga but what does he think he isn’t going to be asked about this in the next two weeks if he stays?

He can’t hide forever.

If everything was fine, why are you hiding? Come out and speak to the world. Answer the questions we all have.

I’m not sure if he will, it’s an environment he can’t control. He can hide behind a statement.

You’re a public figure. Speak. Of course it’s going to be hostile but it comes with the territory.

What’s he going to do, avoid all press conferences this Aus Open if he plays and cop the fines?

It’s OK to have strong feelings on things as Novak does but you have to abide by laws of a country.

We have 99 per cent of players doing what they were told – whether they wanted to or not. Whether they think it was what is right for them or not. But they did it.

If you choose not to do it then you have to understand what comes with that.

In terms of public opinion, I think the average Aussie that’s lived through this pandemic is still wondering why he is here.

The majority of people in Australia are doing the right thing, so to see someone that is not remain in your country is confronting.

But it’s the Novak Djokovic show. It’s a massive distraction. He’s trying to control the narrative here and I don’t think that will do him any favours in the long run.

Whatever happens in the coming days, Novak is going to struggle to regain a reputation that isn’t tainted.

He needs to front up to what’s happening. People want and deserve the truth.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC COVID SAGA TIMELINE

2020

APRIL

Djokovic makes clear his stance that he’s publicly opposed to vaccination, and “wouldn’t want to be forced by someone to take a vaccine in order to be able to travel”.

JUNE

He’s roundly criticised for organising his own tournament, the Adria Tour – which is cut short when he and other players,  including Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev, test positive to Covid-19.

2021

OCTOBER

Victorian authorities confirm that all professional athletes must be double-vaccinated to gain entry into Australia.

DECEMBER

December 10

The deadline for a medical exemption to be submitted to Tennis Australia passes.

December 14

Djokovic attends a basketball match in Belgrade where numerous people subsequently test positive for Covid-19.

December 16

An important day. Djokovic claims to test negative on a Rapid Antigen Test, while also taking a PCR test – the results of which are reportedly returned at 8.19pm. Under Serbian rules, Djokovic’s 14-day self-isolation begins. Earlier, he attends an event to launch a new stamp with his picture on it.

December 17

Djokovic is pictured at an awards ceremony at the Novak Tennis Academy in Belgrade, where he mingles with children. An asymptomatic Djokovic says he returned a negative RAT test prior to the event, and didn’t learn of his positive PCR test result until later.

December 18

Conducts a 33-minute interview with French newspaper L'Equipe in Belgrade, posing maskless in a photoshoot – a decision he says as “an error in judgment”. Returns home to complete the required isolation. Later, Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic says if Djokovic attended events while positive he had “clearly violated the rules”.

December 22

Returns a negative Covid-19 PCR test in Belgrade.

December 25

Having cleared isolation following his negative test, Djokovic is filmed pictured separately with handball player Petar Djordjic in Belgrade.

December 30

Djokovic is granted permission by Tennis Australia to play the Australian Open

December 31

Djokovic is spotted training on hardcourts in Marbella, Spain, in a clue that he’s deep in preparations for the Australian Open.

2022

January 1

Djokovic’s Australian Travel Declaration is completed – by his agent, he later claims. In it, he declares he’s had no travel in the prior 14 days and that he is unvaccinated against Covid-19 but has a medical exemption.

January 4

Reveals on Instagram he has received "exemption permission" to enter Australia.

January 6

Arrives in Melbourne and is sensationally detained and interviewed by border officials, with his visa cancelled.

January 10

Djokovic has a huge win in Federal Court, winning his appeal against deportation with Judge Kelly throwing out Djokovic’s visa cancellation. Later, he enjoys a midnight training session at Rod Laver Arena. Meanwhile, a press conference with Djokovic’s family comes to a sudden end after they refuse to clarify Djokovic’s movements in relation to his December 16 positive result.

January 11

A free man, Djokovic takes to Rod Laver Arena for a closed practice session.

January 12

Djokovic moves to dispel ‘misinformation’ in a lengthy Instagram post as his legal team provides further evidence to support his case – prompting another 24-hour delay in decision-making by Immigration Minister Alex Hawke.

January 14

Djokovic has his visa cancelled for a second time, as Immigration Minister Alex Hawke invoked his discretionary powers. Djokovic launches appeal.

January 16

Djokovic's appeal to Immigration Minister Alex Hawke's decision to cancel the Serbia star's Australian visa is upheld. The world no.1 is deported and leaves the country on a plane to Dubai.

Originally published as Sam Groth: Novak Djokovic will never admit any fault in the saga that has engulfed the Australian Open