Sonali Paul

MELBOURNE, (Reuters) – Novak Djokovic claimed Wednesday that an inexact answer to his Australian entry forms was given. This violated the strict Australian laws regarding reporting travel recently. The government is still considering deporting him.

Djokovic spent several days in Melbourne’s immigration detention after his visa was canceled by the border force. They questioned Djokovic about his medical exemption from having to be vaccinated with COVID-19.

On Monday, a judge overturned the decision and released him. He said that the Visa cancellation was unreasonable because the player wasn’t allowed to speak with legal representatives or tennis officials before he arrived in Brazil.

Djokovic stated that his travel documentation was completed by his support group, who made an “administrative error” in ticking the “no box when asked if Djokovic had traveled anywhere else in the period of 14 days preceding arriving to Australia.

Djokovic stated that “this was human error, and definitely not intentional.” “We live in difficult times, and a pandemic is raging around the world. Sometimes these mistakes do happen.”

As Australia’s Immigration Minister Alex Hawke pondered whether to cancel visas for the number-one tennis player, the statement came just as the Australian Open begins on January 17.

Failing to provide accurate or misleading information is a crime that can land you in jail for up to 12 month. You could also be subject to a $6,000 ($4,730), maximum sentence, and possible cancellation of your visa.

Djokovic wants to be the record 21st player to win the Open. On Wednesday, his attorneys provided further information to the Australian government in order to resolve the matter.

Hawke’s spokesperson, who is able to cancel Djokovic’s visa again, stated that the minister was considering further action. This process would then be extended in order to evaluate the new information.

STRICT RULES

Australia prohibits non-residents and citizens from entering the country unless they have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19. However, Australia offers medical exemptions. Djokovic was denied entry to Australia because he was not vaccinated or his medical exemption was insufficient.

Monday’s court verdict did not clarify whether this exemption, which was based on Djokovic concluding COVID-19 last week, was valid.

Djokovic’s situation sparked a row between Canberra, Belgrade, which fueled heated debate about COVID-19 mandatory vaccination policies.

When social media photos showed Djokovic in Belgrade two weeks prior to his departure to Spain, and later to Australia, questions were raised about Djokovic’s movement before arriving to Australia.

Two eyewitnesses provided accounts and one individual were obtained by Reuters Tuesday to confirm the social media posts.

Djokovic held a second practice session at Melbourne Park Wednesday. He did not disclose his travel details in the Wednesday statement, although he acknowledged that he made a mistake.

The government explained online the requirement for travel reporting for 14 days. It said that the information is used to determine quarantine requirements and permits health officials contact anyone arriving if they suspect that a traveler has COVID-19.

INTERVIEW APOLOGY

In his statement, the player also apologized for not attending L’Equipe’s interview on December 18, one day after learning that he was positive for COVID-19.

He said, “While I returned home from the interview in order to be isolated for the prescribed period of time, upon reflection I realized that this was an error and I have decided that it is best I had rescheduled my commitment.”

Djokovic denies media reports that he contracted the virus while attending a Belgrade tennis tournament, where he presented awards to children.

“I was asymptomatic, felt well, and I hadn’t received notification of a positive result in PCR until after the event.” He added that an antigen rapid test that was taken prior to the event had come back negative.

Djokovic posted photos on social media showing him posing with children without wearing a mask.