Questions have been raised concerning the authenticity of Novak Djokovic’s optimistic Covid take a look at on December 16, as a number of photos taken round that date present the maskless tennis star mixing as regular in his native Serbia.
A maskless Djokovic was pictured as a panelist at an indoor dialogue for his charity basis, and he shared photos on Instagram of him receiving a stamp made in his honour the day after he allegedly examined optimistic for Covid.
In additional damning photos allegedly taken on December 17, the World No. 1 took half in an open PR occasion and was pictured hugging kids at an award ceremony, once more on the Novak Tennis Centre in Dorćol, Serbia.
The Serbian’s legal professionals have since claimed the Australian authorities gave the tennis star a written vaccine exemption as a result of he contracted the illness on December 16 – the identical day he was pictured mixing with dozens of maskless individuals.
In an extra blow to the tennis star’s claims, it was additionally alleged that his optimistic PCR take a look at outcome on December 16 would have been to late to register with Tennis Australia’s personal exemption course of deadline – which had already expired on December 10.
In response to the governing physique’s personal paperwork, the final date to use for medical exemption for the Australian Open had been practically per week earlier.
Earlier immediately, Czech tennis star Renata Voráčová, 38, who was held in detention alongside Djokovic, had her visa ripped up by Border Power and was deported from Australia on a flight to Dubai after not interesting the choice to detain her.
Saturday marked the newest twist in Djokovic’s Covid saga, after the World No. 1 was held at an immigration facility in Melbourne after his visa was cancelled on Wednesday following scrutiny of the medical exemption he had secured to journey to the primary tennis main of the 12 months.
However his authorized workforce now declare that he was in reality granted a vaccine exemption from the Australian authorities and Tennis Australia to enter the nation as a result of he contracted Covid-19 final month.
On December 16, a maskless Novak Djokovic shared an image of himself talking at a panel for the Novak Djokovic Basis on the Novak Tennis Centre in Dorćol, Serbia. HIs legal professionals now declare he acquired his optimistic PCR outcome that very same day
On December 17, Djokovic (pictured centre on the again) posed with dozens of youngsters at his Novak Tennis Centre in Dorćol, Serbia, the day after the purported optimistic PCR take a look at
December 17: The maskless tennis World No. 1 posed for photos with the youngsters in Serbia on the public PR occasion
And on December 16, the World No. 1 later shared an image of himself receiving an honourary stamp in Serbia on Instagram
38-year-old Renata Voracova, a Czech tennis participant, was filmed on the window of a Melbourne immigration detention lodge after additionally having her visa rejected by Australian border guards. She has since been deported from Australia
Novak Djokovic requested a private chef and entry to a tennis courtroom whereas staying in a Melbourne lodge earlier than his calls for have been rejected by Australian Border Power
The World No. 1 has been informed he’ll obtain no particular therapy as he stays in immigration custody on the $109-a-night Park Lodge in Carlton
It comes after Djokovic’s calls for for a private chef within the $109-a-night Park Lodge in Carlton have been rejected as he was informed he would obtain no particular therapy as he awaits his courtroom date on Monday.
In courtroom paperwork revealed on Saturday, Djokovic’s legal professionals claimed the Serbian recorded a optimistic take a look at on December 16, and has ‘not had a fever or respiratory signs of Covid-19 within the final 72 hours’.
The submitting stated he had written clearance from Australia’s immigration division earlier than travelling to the nation with a medical exemption from its vaccination guidelines.
On January 1, the sports activities star acquired a ‘a doc from the Division of Residence Affairs (which) informed Djokovic that his ‘responses point out(d) that (he met) the necessities for a quarantine-free arrival into Australia’, the paperwork added.
In addition to written clearance from the Australian authorities, his legal professionals claimed that Tennis Australia granted him a ‘medical exemption from Covid vaccination’ on December 30, on the idea he had not too long ago recovered from the virus.
Anti-vaxx Djokovic has refused to disclose what number of, if any, Covid vaccinations he has acquired.
Regardless of claims that he was given written clearance to enter Australia, 20-time grand slam winner’s visa was cancelled after at the very least six hours of heated discussions with Border Power.
He’s ready in detention to struggle the choice in courtroom on Monday, after he was deemed to not have met outlined Australian authorities visa necessities to enter the nation after flying in from Dubai.
Leaked paperwork from Tennis Australia stated unvaccinated gamers have been in a position to apply for a brief medical exemption if they’d contracted Covid-19 previously six months.
A letter was despatched by Tennis Australia on December 7 to the Affiliation of Tennis Professionals after which handed onto gamers, the Herald Solar reported.
The doc stated unvaccinated gamers wanted to show they’d had the virus within the time since July 31 so as to enter the nation.
However Tennis Australia had been notified by the Federal Authorities in November that prior infections wouldn’t enable the unvaccinated into the nation.
Djokovic has been compelled to powerful it out alongside 32 different refugees and asylum seekers who’ve beforehand complained about poor dwelling situations on the lodge that has been dubbed the ‘Different Place of Detention’
Djokovic has been compelled to powerful it out within the Park Lodge alongside 32 different refugees and asylum seekers, who’ve beforehand complained about poor dwelling situations on the lodge that has been dubbed the ‘Different Place of Detention’.
Maggot-riddled meals, mouldy bread, fires, Covid outbreaks and bugs in rooms are among the many complaints made by a few of the visitors.
Djokovic’s calls for for a private chef whereas in detention have been rejected, as he was informed he’ll obtain no particular therapy whereas he stays in immigration custody.
Since being detained in Melbourne late on Wednesday evening, Djokovic requested a private chef so he may preserve his very strict weight loss plan because the tennis professional lives with an intolerance to gluten.
He had additionally requested to be transferred to a rented condominium with a tennis courtroom so he may prepare and stay in prime form forward of the Australian Open with the event set to start in just a little over per week on January 17.
Djokovic, 34, even supplied to pay for personal guards within the hopes he may make the transfer.
However Australian Border Power rejected all of his requests and insisted he’ll stay on the lodge till a courtroom guidelines on his deportation on Monday.
His detainment on the lodge has sparked rallies in Melbourne and Belgrade with the Serbian authorities claiming the situations are usually not ‘befitting’ to one of the best sportsman whereas Djokovic’s household have accused the Australian authorities of treating their son like a ‘prisoner’.
The location been used as a authorities detention lodge since December 2020, with workers and visitors beforehand slamming it as an ‘incubator’ for Covid.
Photographs shared by horrified detainees within the lodge allegedly confirmed maggots and mold within the meals offered
Photographs shared by an asylum seeker displaying the meals that’s being served to visitors on the Park Lodge
Novak Djokovic (left and proper with spouse Jelena) has damaged his silence from inside immigration detention in Australia after being denied entry
The tennis star should stay in his room the place the home windows are sealed shut and air is circulated by air conditioners.
In October, practically half of these being held within the lodge examined optimistic for the Delta pressure, with one man taken to hospital by ambulance.
Refugees are made to share a typical kitchen space and elevate if travelling between flooring.
Individuals who take a look at optimistic are moved to the primary ground however this will occur days after the exams are taken.
On Friday, it emerged that two different individuals related to the event have joined Djokovic in being instructed to go away the nation by the Australian Border Power.
One of many people is Czech doubles specialist Renata Voracova, who performed in a warm-up event in Melbourne this week however has now opted to go away Australia.
Djokovic has spoken out from inside Australian border detention to thank his household and followers for his or her help as he waits to listen to whether or not he will probably be deported.
The Serbian tennis ace, who has been held since Wednesday after he was barred from getting into the nation to compete within the Australian Open, additionally posted a Christmas message as a result of immediately is Christmas Day within the Orthodox custom.
‘Thanks to individuals around the globe to your steady help. I can really feel it and it’s enormously appreciated,’ he wrote in English beneath a submit in Serbian, during which he additionally thanked his household and countrymen.
A second submit towards a background which featured a picture of the beginning of Christ stated: ‘God’s peace. Christ is born. Pleased Christmas. Could God’s love invigorate and fulfill you all.’
The athlete’s submit got here after spouse Jelena penned her personal Instagram submit lending help to her husband whereas calling for ‘love and forgiveness’.
The 35-year-old mother-of-two, who met Djokovic as a young person and has been censured for spreading Covid disinformation previously, wrote on Instagram that she is ‘taking a deep breath to settle down and discover gratitude (and understanding) on this second for all that’s occurring.’
Jelena requested for ‘love and respect’ in message posted alongside a photograph of the couple to the social media on Friday (pictured)
The 35-year-old mother-of-two stated she is ‘taking a deep breath to settle down and discover gratitude and understanding’ in a message posted on Instagram (above)
In a single message, written in Serbian and English (left), he thanked his household and followers for standing by him. In a second (proper) he wished Orthodox Christians a contented Christmas, which they’re marking immediately
‘Thanks expensive individuals, all around the globe for utilizing your voice to ship like to my husband,’ she added. ‘The one legislation that we should always all respect throughout each single border is Love and respect for one more human being.’
She additionally wished her husband a ‘completely satisfied Christmas’ as a result of Orthodox Christians mark Jesus’s birthday on January 7. An Orthodox priest stated it was ‘appalling’ that Djokovic is spending the day in a lodge likened to a ‘torture chamber’.
Her message was posted amid protests in Serbia led by Djokovic’s mother and father, who’ve slammed his therapy by Australian border officers – claiming he’s being held ‘prisoner’ in ‘horrible’ situations.
However Residence Affairs Minister Karen Andrews has hit again, saying Djokovic can depart any time he desires and is staying of his personal will whereas legal professionals contest the border ruling. His case is due in courtroom Monday.
‘Mr Djokovic will not be being held captive in Australia, he’s free to go away at any time that he chooses to take action and Border Power will really facilitate that,’ she stated.
She spoke because the blame recreation amongst Australian officers over the saga continued, with Victoria’s state premier immediately pointing the finger at tennis bosses.
Jacinta Allan, appearing Victorian premier, has been beneath strain as a result of it was her state which granted Djokovic a medical exemption – believed to be on the grounds that he was beforehand contaminated with Covid as a result of he isn’t at present vaccinated.
However Allan clarified on Friday, saying the exemption solely certified Djokovic to play within the event and to not cross the Australian border.
As an alternative she pointed the finger of blame at Craig Tiley, Tennis Australia boss, after it emerged the Division of Well being despatched him two letters again in November saying that prior Covid an infection wouldn’t be adequate to cross the border.
Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley knowledgeable the nation’s advisory physique on immunisation in November final 12 months the viability of the event hinged on ‘permitting’ abroad gamers to compete in Melbourne who weren’t double-vaccinated
Allan stated Tiley failed to tell her authorities that the exemption which certified Djokovic to play within the event wouldn’t get him into the nation.
In response to her account, it was this failed communication which led Djokovic to board a flight to Australia believing he had been granted an exemption to enter the nation – when in reality he had not.
Ms Allan stated: ‘It’s the Commonwealth authorities … that is chargeable for issuing visas and the way they have interaction in that dialogue with our bodies like Tennis Australia is a matter for them.’
Exemptions to play within the Australian Open are ‘very a lot separate from the visa course of,’ Allan added.
However Tiley has damaged his silence over the Novak Djokovic visa debacle, claiming his workers have performed an ‘unbelievable job’ regardless of the governing physique coming beneath hearth for giving the unvaxxed star unsuitable well being recommendation.
Tiley additionally known as out quite a few cases of ‘finger pointing’ which have adopted within the ugly saga the previous few days – whereas Serbian famous person and anti-vaxxer Djokovic stays stranded in immigration detention in Melbourne, a far cry from his regular luxurious way of life.
In a leaked video, Tiley acknowledged TA workers’s professionalism and diligence in what he firmly believes has been a radical job within the lead as much as the annual grand slam event.
‘There’s lots of finger pointing occurring and lots of blaming occurring, however I can guarantee you our workforce has performed an unbelievable job and have performed every part they probably may in keeping with all of the directions that they’ve been offered,’ he stated within the clip.
‘We empathise with the state of affairs we at present have. We’re a participant first occasion…we’re working carefully with Novak and his workforce.’
Leaked letter PROVES Tennis Australia bosses informed unvaccinated gamers a previous Covid an infection would get them into the nation
A leaked letter has revealed that unvaccinated tennis gamers have been informed they may attend the Australian Open offered they’d Covid inside the final six months – piling strain on Tennis Australia bosses over the Novak Djokovic border debacle.
Steering despatched to gamers in early December and now leaked to the press lays out causes that athletes can qualify for a ‘medical exemption’ to enter Australia, saying that ‘not too long ago recovered instances’ will probably be allowed into the nation.
To qualify, gamers have been informed to supply a Covid-positive PCR take a look at dated after July 31 together with antibody exams proving pure immunity ‘if accessible’. The leak will heap strain on Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley to show what he was informed and when, and why precisely that steerage was issued.
It’s believed that Djokovic travelled to Australia utilizing this exemption solely to be stopped on the border and informed that he did not meet necessities, leaving him languishing in a ‘torture chamber’ lodge used for detained immigrants.
Mr Tiley was already beneath strain after Jacinta Allan, appearing Victorian premier, accused him of failing to reveal steerage he was given in November saying that prior infections wouldn’t depend at border management.
She denied {that a} medical exemption issued by her state had certified Djokovic to cross the Australian border, saying it solely gave him entry to venues within the state.
Ms Allan stated: ‘It’s the Commonwealth authorities … that is chargeable for issuing visas and the way they have interaction in that dialogue with our bodies like Tennis Australia is a matter for them.’
Exemptions to play within the Australian Open are ‘very a lot separate from the visa course of,’ Allan added.
Supporters of the Serbian tennis star have gathered exterior the Covid lodge the place he’s being quarantined to demand that he be launched
The lodge the place Djokovic is being saved has been likened to a ‘torture chamber’ which can also be used to accommodate refugees
Opponents of Djokovic- who has drawn controversy previously after talking out towards vaccines – have additionally been out protesting
Djokovich has been receiving calls from Serbia, together with from his mother and father and the president, hoping to spice up his spirits.
A priest from the Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church in Melbourne sought permission from immigration authorities to go to the nine-time Australian Open champion to have a good time the Orthodox Christmas.
‘Our Christmas is wealthy in lots of customs and it’s so essential {that a} priest visits him,’ the church’s dean, Milorad Locard, informed the Australian Broadcasting Corp.
‘The entire thing round this occasion is appalling. That he has to spend Christmas in detention … it’s unthinkable.’
Djokovic’s supporters gathered exterior the Park Lodge, used to accommodate refugees and asylum seekers close to downtown Melbourne, waving flags and banners.
They blended with human rights advocates who have been there extra to focus on the plight for different longer-term individuals in detention, many who’ve complained about their dwelling situations and publicity to the coronavirus within the pandemic.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison revealed Djokovic’s visa had been cancelled as a result of he ‘did not meet the necessities of entry’.
Djokovic’s authorized workforce took the matter to the Federal Court docket of Australia in an try to have the choice swiftly overturned.
Victoria premier Jacinta Allan, whose state granted Djokovic a medical exemption, stated that solely permits him to play within the event – not enter the nation
On Thursday, the courtroom ordered Djokovic may stay within the nation till at the very least Monday 4pm. It is hoped the matter will probably be settled in courtroom that day.
Tennis Australia have indicated they need a call as as to if Djokovic can play within the Grand Slam no later than Tuesday ‘for scheduling functions’.
The Australian Open was dealt an extra blow immediately as Residence Affairs Minister Karen Andrews revealed two different worldwide arrivals have been being investigated after travelling to Australia in comparable circumstances for the Open.
‘I can verify the Australian Border Power is conducting its inquiries … I’m conscious that there are two people at present being investigated by Australian Border Power,’ Andrews informed Channel Seven.
Andrews stated anybody getting into Australia needed to present proof of vaccination or medical the explanation why they don’t seem to be vaccinated.
‘We do have the intelligence to point there are some people right here now that haven’t met the entry necessities and we have now to analyze that,’ Andrews stated earlier on the 9 Community.
‘I do know there’s lots of chatter concerning the visa. The visa, on my understanding, will not be the difficulty, it’s the entry requirement.
‘The Border Power has been very clear that he (Novak) was not in a position to meet the requirement to supply the proof he wanted for entry to Australia.’
Past the quiet of Djokovic’s lodge, the outcry in his native Serbia is rising along with his household saying he had been ‘held captive’ and insisting the therapy of one among sport’s best performers was a shame.
His household complained concerning the lodge as round 300 followers held a rally in entrance of the nation’s parliament constructing within the capital Belgrade,
‘It is just a few small immigration lodge, if we are able to name it a lodge in any respect. Some bugs, it is soiled, and the meals is so horrible,’ Djokovic’s mom Dijana stated in a press convention.
His father Srdjan promised the group the protests could be held day-after-day till Djokovic was launched.
Nearer to dwelling, former Davis Cup participant Paul McNamee who ran the Australian Open from 1995 till 2006 as event director, joined those that suppose the 34-year-old deserved his day on courtroom, not in courtroom.
‘It isn’t honest. The man performed by the principles, he bought his visa, he arrives, he is a nine-time champion and whether or not individuals prefer it or not he is entitled to honest play,’ McNamee informed ABC Information.
‘There is no doubt there’s some disconnect between the state and the federal authorities. I hate to suppose politics are concerned but it surely feels that approach.’
Djokovic, one of many best tennis gamers of all time, has garnered headlines lately for his stance on Covid vaccines that has enhanced his fame as a polorising determine.
He first spoke out towards vaccination again in April 2020, when the primary wave of Covid was spreading and earlier than a jab had even been developed, to say he was not in favour of getting one.
Additional controversy got here in June when he hosted a Balkans tennis event with no masks sporting or social distancing measures in place that led to a number of gamers – together with himself – getting contaminated with Covid.
As vaccines have been rolled out final 12 months and journey guidelines relaxed for many who had taken the jab, Djokovic remained silent about his personal standing – main many to suspect he had not been jabbed and wouldn’t be allowed to play on the Australian Open.
However come December, his identify was introduced on lists for each the Open and the warm-up ATP Cup – with Tennis Australia revealing earlier this month that he had been granted a medical exemption.
Srdjan and Diana Djokovic, the tennis star’s mother and father, have been main protests in his native Serbia towards the choice – calling it politically motivated
Protests erupted exterior the detention lodge the place Novak is being held
That prompted a livid backlash from Australians who’ve been struggling beneath a few of the world’s strictest virus management measures for 2 years, together with tight border guidelines and bans for the unvaccinated.
Amid the furor, Prime Minister Scott Morrison introduced on Wednesday that Djokovic’s visa had been cancelled on the airport and he could be despatched dwelling.
Whereas the choice delighted Djokovic’s critics and lots of strange Australians, it additionally sparked recriminations for Mr Morrison, finger-pointing between the our bodies concerned, and allegations of political grandstanding.
Djokovic’s father insists he is being ‘saved in captivity… to stomp throughout Serbia and Serbian individuals’ in a fiery speech which additionally likened the sportsman to Jesus.
‘Jesus was crucified on the cross … however he’s nonetheless alive amongst us,’ Srdjan stated. ‘They’re making an attempt to crucify and belittle Novak and throw him to his knees.’
The feedback got here as Djokovic’s mother and father slammed ‘fool’ Australian officers for detaining him in a refugee lodge as a bitter confrontation erupted after the tennis star had his visa cancelled.
Srdjan railed towards his ‘imprisonment’ saying he’s the sufferer of a ‘political assault’, having been made a ‘scapegoat’ of Australia’s harsh vaccine guidelines.
He known as on Serbians and other people all around the globe to ‘stand up’ and problem the politicians and border brokers who wish to ‘humiliate’ their sporting star.