Djokovic moved to clarify “ongoing misinformation” about his movements when he was infected last month and about errors in the travel document he entered in Australia, where his visa was revoked then restored in a COVID-19 vaccination saga that has overshadowed the days leading up to the Australian Open.

A statement was posted on Djokovic’s social media accounts while the men’s top-ranked tennis players were holding a practice session on Wednesday. The nine-time and defending Australian Open champion is missing before the start of the first tennis major of the year next Monday, a week after he won the legal battle to stay in the country.

But he still faces deportation because he has not been vaccinated against COVID-19, a decision that is entirely at the discretion of Australia’s immigration minister if it is considered in the public interest. Djokovic reportedly attended a ceremony in his hometown of Serbia last month after passing a positive test on December 16, including presenting children with awards on December 17.

There is also speculation that errors in his immigration form could lead to his visa being revoked. On the form, Djokovic said he had not traveled in 14 days before leaving for Australia. The Monte Carlo-based athlete was spotted in Spain and Serbia during the two-week period. Djokovic called the speculation “painful” and said he wanted to address it in the interest of “allaying the wider community’s concerns about my presence in Australia”.

The day after he said he tested positive in Serbia, Djokovic appeared at a youth tennis event and at a ceremony to honour him with stamps bearing his image, both apparently without a mask.