Novak Djokovic says he is exempt from vaccination after contracting Covid-19 in December

Supporters of Novak Djokovic in front of the hotel where the Serbian tennis player is being held, in Melbourne, on January 7, 2022.

Would the vagueness surrounding Novak Djokovic’s vaccination situation begin to dissipate? According to a document filed on Saturday, January 8, in court by his lawyers, the world number one in tennis benefits from an exemption from vaccination against Covid-19 because he contracted the disease in December.

“The date of the first positive Covid PCR test was recorded on December 16, 2021”they said in a document filed with federal court, which seeks to overturn the rejection of his visa to enter Australia. Djokovic had landed in Melbourne on Wednesday hoping to defend his Australian Open title (January 17-30) and win a 21e Grand Slam title, which would constitute a record. The Serb was detained at the Park Hotel in the capital of the state of Victoria after the cancellation of his visa, on the night of Wednesday to Thursday, because he did not meet the entry restrictions on the territory imposed in as part of the fight against Covid-19.

Public activities without a mask after his positive test?

According to a publication of the Tennis Federation of Serbia on its Facebook page, consulted on Saturday by Agence France-Presse (AFP), Novak Djokovic however attended on December 17, without a mask, a ceremony in honor of young players Serbs in Belgrade. In a press release, the Federation announced that “The best tennis player on the planet”, “Holder of 20 Grand Slam titles”, had awarded cups and diplomas to young players.

“Only the awarded children attended the presentation of the cups, which took place in the Novak Tennis Center” from Belgrade “Because of the health measures linked to the pandemic”, we read there. The publication contains several photos of “Nole”, who poses with officials of the federation and twenty teenagers, all without masks. The player also attended, the same day he was diagnosed positive for SARS-CoV-2, another public event: the presentation of a stamp with his effigy by the Serbian post. He himself posted a photo of the ceremony on Instagram.

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According to his lawyers, the world tennis star has asked to leave the hotel where he is being held with other people in an irregular situation so that he can train before the Australian Open. In any case, he will not be deported before Monday, the date of a new hearing before a judge in Melbourne.

In a note sent to players and published by several Australian media, the Australian Tennis Federation assured that a person who recently contracted Covid-19 could benefit from an exemption from the obligation to be fully vaccinated. The Australian government, however, clarified that this provision was only valid for Australian residents, not for foreign citizens wishing to enter the country. He added that the health ministry had alerted the federation in November.

Australian tennis boss touted ‘incredible work’

In an internal video unveiled on Saturday by the daily Herald sun, the boss of the Australian Tennis Federation, Craig Tiley, however praised the ” amazing work “ of his team in connection with the visa problems encountered by Novak Djokovic. The federation, organizer of the Australian Open, was accused of having misled players when it informed them of the obligations in terms of vaccination against Covid-19 to enter the country.

The day before, Orthodox Christmas Day, Novak Djokovic spoke for the first time since arriving in Australia, thanking his support ” worldwide “. “Thank you to my family, loved ones, Serbia, and all the good people around the world who send me their support. Thank God for the health ”, he wrote on Instagram in a Serbian post.

He also wished a Merry Christmas to the Orthodox, as around fifty people gathered under the windows of the detention center where he is supposed to be, his presence not having been officially confirmed. “We come to support him because it is our Christmas and he is going through a difficult period”, commented Sash Aleksic, in the crowd mingling activists defending the rights of migrants, antivax and fans of the player.

A supporter of Novak Djokovic outside the hotel where the tennis player is being held in Melbourne, Australia on January 8, 2022.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic denounced a “Political cabal” and the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church assured Djokovic in a message that millions of faithful pray for him around the world.

Czech Renata Voracova had to leave Australia

Two other people who came to participate in the Australian Open are the subject of an investigation, also confirmed the Minister of the Interior, Karen Andrews. Czech Renata Voracova, who was in the same hotel as Novak Djokovic, has left Australia after also having her visa canceled, the government said on Saturday.

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The Australian imbroglio is already asking questions about the rest of the world number one’s season. If he does not get vaccinated, he may have to give up other competitions, especially in the United States, where the vaccine is also mandatory to cross the border.

On the Grand Slam side, the next tournament is Roland-Garros, in the spring. French Sports Minister Roxana Maracineanu assured Friday that “Health protocols imposed for major events by the federations” allow “For someone like Novak Djokovic to be able to enter the territory [français].

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The World with AFP

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