Novak Djokovic admits to lying on Australian entry declaration in detailed Instagram post

Inconsistencies between Novak Djokovic’s sworn evidence and his social media post has prompted calls for urgent clarification. READ HIS FULL STATEMENT

Novak Djokovic’s bid to ­remain in Australia has taken a hit after the world No.1 admitted lying on his immigration form on arrival in Melbourne and doing an interview while knowing he had Covid-19.

Further questions have been raised about his sworn evidence to the Federal Circuit Court in relation to his diagnosis.

A discrepancy in dates has prompted calls for urgent clarification, as the penalty for giving false evidence under the Crimes Act is a five-year jail sentence.

The federal government is expected to, on Thursday, reveal whether it will launch a second bid to deport the controversial tennis star, with sources saying many senior figures believe they should fight for the integrity of the border policy, ­regardless of whether they thought they could win the case or not.

The government was last night still preparing its case, with sources saying it was ready to weather an international backlash because pursuing Djokovic was consistent with our “ongoing efforts to control the spread of Covid”.

The Serb released a long statement on Wednesday addressing what he claimed was “misinformation” about his movements while positive with the virus.

“I want to address the continuing misinformation about my activities and attendance at events in December in the lead up to my positive PCR Covid test result,” Djokovic said.

“This is misinformation which needs to be corrected, particularly in the interest of alleviating broader concern in the community about my presence in Australia, and to address matters which are very hurtful and concerning to my family.”

The 34-year-old admitted providing false information on his travel declaration form upon touchdown in Melbourne on January 6, but blamed his entourage.

When asked on the form if he had travelled in the 14 days leading up to his arrival in Australia, the tennis ace had ticked “No”.

Djokovic, however, was seen playing tennis in Serbia on December 25 and in Spain on December 31.

“My agent sincerely apologises for the administrative mistake,” Djokovic said.

“This was a human error and certainly not deliberate.

“We are living in challenging times in a global pandemic and sometimes these mistakes can occur.

“Today, my team has provided additional information to the Australian Government to clarify this matter.”

Penalties for providing false and misleading information to the Commonwealth on declarations include visa cancellations and up to 12 months’ jail.

In his statement, Djokovic also admitted attending an interview and photo shoot with French magazine L’Equipe on December 18, despite knowing he was infected with the virus.

He conceded it was an “error of judgment”, but said he felt “obligated to go ahead” with the interview.

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic had told the BBC it would be “a clear breach of the rules” if Djokovic attended events despite his positive test.

Breaking these rules carries a maximum three years’ jail under Serbian law.

Creating further confusion, Djokovic explained he had not known he was Covid-positive when he attended an awards ceremony at his tennis centre on December 17.

In a sworn affidavit to the Federal Circuit Court in Melbourne, Djokovic had claimed he received his positive test at 8.19pm on December 16.

“On 16 December 2021, I was tested and diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 (Covid),” Djokovic’s affidavit read.

But in his statement he asserted that he had returned two negative rapid tests before attending a ceremony on December 17, and only learned of his positive PCR test after the event.

“I want to emphasise that I have tried very hard to ensure the safety of everyone and my compliance with testing obligations,” he continued.

“I attended a basketball game in Belgrade on 14 December after which it was reported that a number of people tested positive with Covid-19. Despite having no Covid symptoms, I took a rapid antigen test on 16 December which was negative, and out of an abundance of caution, also took an official and approved PCR Test on that same day.

Novak Djokovic has created a storm in Australia. Picture: AFP

“The next day I attended a tennis event in Belgrade to present awards to children and took a rapid antigen test before going to the event, and it was negative.

“I was asymptomatic and felt good, and I had not received the notification of a positive PCR Test result until after that event.

“The next day, on 18 December, I was at my tennis centre in Belgrade to fulfil a longstanding commitment for a L’Equipe interview and photo-shoot. I cancelled all other events except for the L’Equipe interview.

“I felt obliged to go ahead and conduct the L’Equipe interview as I didn’t want to let the journalist down, but did ensure I socially distanced and wore a mask except when my photograph was being taken.

“While I went home after the interview to isolate for the required period, on reflection, this was an error of judgment and I accept that I should have rescheduled this commitment.”

The discrepancy prompted calls for urgent clarification, as the penalty for giving false evidence under the Crimes Act is a five-year jail sentence.

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 Novak Djokovic admits to lying on Australian entry declaration in detailed Instagram post