Novak Djokovic might have won his case against deportation from Australia but the world No.1 is under more criticism for another reason.
On Monday the world No.1 won his appeal against the Australian minister of Home Affairs, who revoked his visa on the grounds that he failed to provide enough evidence to support his visa application. Djokovic, who has not had a COVID-19 vaccination, received a medical exemption on the grounds that he had the virus within the past six months. Judge Anthony Kelly concluded that the Australian Border Force (ABF) didn’t give the 20-time Grand Slam champion enough time to respond after notifying him of his visa refusal.
Following the court hearing, more legal documents of the case have been published in public for the first time which revealed the full details about Djokovic’s positive COVID-19 test. In his Affidavit, which is a written statement of facts signed under oath, he confirmed that he was ‘tested and diagnosed’ with COVID-19 on December 16th.
“On 16 December 2021, 1 was tested and diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID).” He wrote.
This was also confirmed in the transcript of Djokovic’s interview with the ABF upon his arrival at the airport. He also said he is not seeking any treatment or taking any medication for a medical condition. When asked about his COVID-19 vaccination status, he said the following:-
INTERVIEWER: Now question regarding your vaccination, are you vaccinated?
DJOKOVIC: I am not vaccinated.
INTERVIEWER: for COVID-19? Not vaccinated?
DJOKOVIC: I am not vaccinated.
INTERVIEWER: Thank you. Have you ever had COVID?
DJOKOVIC: Yes.
INTERVIEWER: So when did you?
DJOKOVIC: I had COVID twice, I had COVID in June 2020 and I had COVID recently in – I was tested positive – PCR –16th of December 2021.
INTERVIEWER: Thank you. Sorry what was the date? 16th of December?
DJOKOVIC: 16th of December 2021, I have the documents as well to confirm that if you want I can provide….
The admission that he tested positive for COVID-19 on December 16th confirms that the tennis star attended at least two events whilst knowing he had the virus. On the 17th the Belgrade tennis federation reported that Djokovic had handed over cups and awards to best young players in 2021 at a special presentation. He also participated in photos with those recipients which were uploaded on both Facebook and the website of the Belgrade tennis academy he visited. He was photographed not wearing a mask at the event.
The day after the Belgrade presentation L’Equipe confirmed that Djokovic also attended a photo shoot for the newspaper. He was named their ‘champion of champions’ and was presented with a trophy.
What the court files don’t say is if Djokovic had any physical symptoms of the virus or was asymptomatic. He subsequently took another COVID-19 test on December 22nd which came back negative. It is also unknown as to how he might have contracted the virus but he did attend a EuroLeague basketball match on December 14th which has been linked to other positive cases.
Djokovic is yet to comment in public and still faces the risk of having his visa revoked for a second time if the minister of immigration uses their executive power. If that was to happen, he also faced the prospect of a three-year ban from the country.
