Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic took to his Instagram account to issue a statement regarding his clash with the Australian Border Force.

It can be recalled that the Novak tried to ward off deportation in order to be permitted to join the Australian Open, despite not being vaccinated against COVID-19. The anti vaxxer’s visa was canceled twice and his lawyers appealed twice.

“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. 

“This misinformation which needs to be corrected, particularly in the interest of 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,” he said.

The athlete stressed that he took the proper precautions and abided by the testing obligations. 

“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 December 16 which was negative, and out of an abundance of caution also took an official and approved PCR test on that same day.”

He continued on and said, “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.”

Novak emphasized that he will no longer be making any comments regarding this issue out of respect for the Australian Government. 

The French Sports Ministry also announced recently that Novak will also be barred from the French Open unless he gets vaccinated. 

*Cover Photos/Thumbnail Photo from Facebook (@djokernole)