Djokovic admits isolation protocol violation while Covid positive

Novak Djokovic has admitted breaching isolation rules after testing positive for Covid-19 last month, describing it as an "error of judgement".

In an Instagram post on Wednesday, the Serbian admitted meeting a journalist for an interview two days after he tested positive on 16 December, BBC reports. 

"I accept that I should have rescheduled," he wrote.

His activity has been scrutinised as the Australian government considers whether to deport him.

Djokovic - who is hoping to defend his Australian Open title next week - had his visa revoked on 6 January amid questions over his apparent vaccine exemption.

On Monday, however, a judge dramatically overturned the decision and ordered the release of the unvaccinated player from detention.

But the government has not ruled out further action - and the possibility remains that the country's immigration minister could cancel his visa for a second time just days before the tournament begins.

"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," he wrote in the Instagram post.

He said other reports about him appearing in public following his positive test on 16 December were "misinformation".

Djokovic, meanwhile, also admitted making a false declaration on his travel form prior to entering Australia.

He said his agent had made a mistake when filling in a section of the form that covered his recent travel history. The form stated that he had not travelled in the 14 days before his arrival in Australia.

But recent reports suggest the 34-year-old had travelled to Serbia and then to Spain prior to the trip.

"My agent sincerely apologises for the administrative mistake in ticking the incorrect box," he wrote. "This was a human error and certainly not deliberate."

"My team has provided additional information to the Australian government to clarify this matter," he added.