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.
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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.
December 16 was a busy day for Djokovic:
In addition to purportedly getting a PCR test for Covid that came back positive, Djokovic also was part of a maskless, indoor panel discussion and attended a maskless, indoor ceremony for a stamp being made in his honor on that day. pic.twitter.com/rI9j0rsPJr
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 8, 2022
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.
There’s more:
On December 17th, the day *after* Djokovic’s purported positive PCR test on December 16th, Djokovic attended an award ceremony for children at the Novak Tennis Center.
Many posts from the kids there posing for pictures with him that day, again masklessly indoors. pic.twitter.com/2ecOSwA7lU
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 8, 2022
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
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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.
French newspaper L'Équipe reveals that Novak Djokovic "posed without a mask during the presentation of the Champion of Champions 2021 trophy" on December 18, two days after allegedly testing positive for covid-19 (according to his lawyers).
You cannot make this stuff up… pic.twitter.com/y2Cf92ds93
— Gaspar Ribeiro Lança (@gasparlanca) January 8, 2022
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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