Djokovic rejects 'misinformation' over positive COVID-19 test

Tennis star Novak Djokovic Wednesday rejected "misinformation" over his public outings in Serbia, despite obtaining a positive PCR test for COVID-19. 

Djokovic, who described the allegations as "very hurtful" to his family, claimed on Instagram that he only learned of the December 16 test result the following day, after attending a youth tennis event.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Novak Djokovic (@djokernole)

The tennis star in a statement wrote, “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 our of abundance of caution, also took an official and approved PCR test on that same day”.

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

“The next day, on 18 December, I was at my tennis centre in Belgrade to fulfil a long-standing commitment for a L’Equipe interview and photoshoot. I cancelled all other events except for the L’Equipe interview," Novak added.  

Djokovic, in his statement, said he felt “obliged" to go ahead with the interview with L’Equipe as he “didn’t want to let down the journalist down". 

He added that he “did ensure that I socially distanced and wore a mask except when my photograph was being taken."

Despite all the explanation, Djokovic agreed that going ahead with the interview might not have been the best judgement.