Home/Tennis

USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

When Novak Djokovic announced that he was traveling to Australia with an ‘exemption permission’, the backlash was imminent. Fans and local Australians expressed their doubts over permission and many started speculating over the basis on which the Serbian star was allowed to play the Australian Open.

Recently, a report carried by BBC confirmed that Djokovic had a medical exemption as he tested positive for COVID-19 on December 16th. This positive PCR test was the basis on which the Serb was granted a temporary visa by Tennis Australia.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

However, as we know, the Australian Border Force later canceled the Visa and detained Djokovic in an immigrant hotel. The Serb’s legal team will make their arguments in court over the canceled visa on Monday. Since testing positive for the virus reportedly on the 16th last month, the Serb attended quite a few events.

Novak Djokovic attended several events after December 16th result

On the same day, the 20-time Grand Slam champion attended an event in Serbia as a stamp in his honor was launched. Also, Novak was part of a panel discussion the same day in Belgrade. In both the events no one wore masks.

Novak Djokovic also posed with a number of kids at his tennis center in Belgrade on December 17th, a day after his positive PCR test.

It is evident in the past couple of years that Djokovic has different belief systems from the rest. But, according to his lawyers’ statement, if the Serb did turn up positive on the 16th last month and went on to attend events without isolating, it doesn’t paint a happy picture at any cost.

Read more: Australian Open Boss Breaks Silence on Novak Djokovic Visa Fiasco

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Even on the 18th last month, Djokovic posed mask-less for the ‘L’Equipe‘ presentation. The Serbian received the ‘Champion of Champions 2021’ trophy followed by a lengthy interview. A week after the interview, Djokovic even played tennis with kids in the streets of Belgrade.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Djokovic had gathered huge support from Serbian fans in Australia as they reached the hotel where he was staying and expressed their admiration for the star. With the evidence of him attending public events after his alleged COVID positive report, Novak will be deemed irresponsible among some fans. But whatever be the case, the Serb continues his fight to stay in Australia and play the ‘happy slam’.

Also read: WATCH: Refugee Shows the Condition of the Room and Food Where Novak Djokovic is Detained