Novak Djokovic was probably “not aware” of his positive Covid-19 test result when he attended an event in Serbia without a mask, his mother said in a television interview on Wednesday.
The unvaccinated tennis superstar was seen in Belgrade, Serbia on December 16, after testing positive for Covid-19.
On December 17, the Belgrade Tennis Federation announced on its Facebook page that “the best tennis player on the planet” had awarded cups and diplomas to young players that same day.
The post contained several photos of Djokovic with federation officials and around 20 teenagers, all without masks.
“He probably did not know” that he was positive for Covid-19 at the time, his mother Dijana assured Australian television channel Channel 7.
“He didn’t know because when he realized he was positive, he isolated himself,” she added, stressing that it was best to ask Djokovic himself.
Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said the world number one would have committed a “clear violation” of the country’s health restrictions if he was in public knowing he was positive for the coronavirus.
“I don’t know when he actually received the results, when he saw the results, so there is a gray area,” she told the BBC. “The only answer to this question can be provided by Novak.”
Questions have also been raised around the 34-year-old’s travel statement.
On his travel document, made public by the Federal Court of Appeal, the box indicating that he had not traveled in the 14 days prior to his flight was checked.
In his health document entering Australia, Novak Djokovic indicated that he had not traveled in the 14 days prior to his arrival.
© AFP – Richard A. Brooks
But the player was seen traveling during the two weeks leading up to his arrival in Australia.
He was photographed in Belgrade on December 25, together with Serbian handball player Petar Djordjic. The photo was posted on Djordjic’s Instagram page.
On December 31, SotoTennis academy tweeted a video of Djokovic training in Marbella, Spain.
On January 2, local newspaper Diario photographed him playing at the Puente Romano club in Sierra Blanca, Marbella, where he was staying in a villa.
Djokovic arrived in Melbourne on January 5. He said he received a medical exemption from vaccination for having contracted Covid-19 in December. But he saw his visa revoked, sparking a legal battle – which he won – between him and the Australian authorities which lasted for several days.
A spokesman for Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke said on Tuesday he “was considering canceling Mr Djokovic’s visa” using his ministerial powers.
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