Novak Djokovic: ‘What I did was selfish and not all people will forgive me for it’

Novak Djokovic says his decision to fulfil an interview while knowingly infected with Covid-19 was ‘selfish,’ and he ‘understands’ those who will not forgive him for it.

Djokovic’s movements came under scrutiny last month when he was deported from Australia due to what many perceive as his anti-vaccination views.

He had travelled to play the Australian Open under a medical exemption linked to a positive Covid-19 test on December 16, just two days later he did an interview with L’Equipe in Belgrade.

He later apologised for it but, speaking to the Serbian media, he has now gone further.

Asked about the controversial L’Equipe interview, Novak Djokovic admitted: “It was a mistake.

“I respect the journalist Franck (Ramella) who did the interview, he is in tennis longer than I am.

“We delayed that interview for some time and I found out that I was positive after he already landed in Belgrade.

“I had my mask on throughout the whole interview, kept physical distance. I did take my mask off for the photoshoot, but both Franck and the photographer were a few metres away from me.

“I admit that it was selfish what I’ve done, it was a mistake that I own. I understand that not all people will forgive me and I understand the critics.”

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