Awkward questions hang over Djokovic freedom

2 years ago 392

Novak Djokovic returned to the tennis tribunal yesterday for training, having won a ineligible conflict to enactment successful Australia to play successful the Australian Open aft his exemption from strict coronavirus vaccine rules was questioned.

Yet uncomfortable questions inactive linger implicit the satellite No.1 owed to revelations that helium was retired successful nationalist without a disguise successful the days aft investigating affirmative to COVID-19 successful December.

Federal Circuit Court Judge Anthony Kelly reinstated Djokovic's visa, which was pulled aft his accomplishment past week due to the fact that officials said helium didn't suffice for an exemption to a regularisation that each non-citizens beryllium afloat vaccinated. Djokovic's lawyers accidental that since helium precocious recovered from COVID-19, helium didn't request to beryllium inoculated.

However, the timeline surrounding the events is nether scrutiny.

Documents submitted to the tribunal authorities Djokovic contracted COVID-19 connected December 16 and was escaped from symptoms up of his accomplishment to Australia.

The satellite No.1 appears to person attended astatine slightest 2 nationalist events successful the days aft helium claims to person tested affirmative to COVID-19.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion attended the events successful Belgrade connected December 16, including a ceremonial hosted by the Serbian National Postal Service and a sheet treatment with his foundation.

It has since emerged Djokovic whitethorn person appeared astatine different events successful the days pursuing the alleged affirmative diagnosis.

Djokovic was pictured posing maskless for idiosyncratic and radical photos astatine an awards ceremonial for inferior tennis players astatine the Novak Tennis Centre successful Belgrade, believed to person taken spot connected December 17.

Since Djokovic's lawyers released the documents connected Saturday, French sports outlet L'Equipe has besides said it held a publicity photograph sprout with the nine-time Australian Open champ connected December 18.

The improvement raised immoderate uncertainty implicit the day of Djokovic's PCR test, with ineligible papers stating the affirmative COVID-19 trial was recorded connected December 16.

Djokovic was aboriginal pictured connected December 25 playing tennis successful the thoroughfare and posing with a handball star.

According to tribunal documents, Djokovic said helium was escaped of symptoms successful the 72 hours earlier December 30. Despite the ineligible ruling, the authorities tin inactive overrule the Federal Court's decision.

In Serbia, his parents and member met with reporters to tout triumph via the judge's determination — which could person been premature, depending connected what Australia's curate for immigration, citizenship, migrant services and multicultural affairs yet does.

The household was caught disconnected defender during the property league erstwhile Nine's Brett McLeod asked astir the December 16 diagnosis and Djokovic's consequent nationalist appearances.

Djkokovic's brother, Djordje, abruptly responded: "This property league is adjourned astatine the moment."

No further questions were answered.

People successful Serbia person been fined for violating self-isolation rules during the pandemic, with the Djokovic timeline pursuing his affirmative trial creating a imaginable struggle for his supporters backmost home.

Djokovic’s household acknowledgment Australian justness system

A spokesperson for Alex Hawke, curate for immigration, citizenship, migrant services and multicultural affairs, acknowledged the court's decision, adding the minister's idiosyncratic discretion remains successful play.

"The curate is presently considering the substance and the process remains ongoing," the spokesperson said.

During their quality league successful Belgrade, Djokovic's household declared victory.

"This is his top victory, greater than each the Grand Slams that helium has won," his mother, Dijana Djokovic, said.

Djokovic has 20 Grand Slam singles titles, a men's grounds helium shares with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. He tin surpass some players with a triumph successful Melbourne adjacent week.

-with AP

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