Djokovic is confined to a temporary detention facility while he appeals the cancellation of his Australian Visa days before the start of the Australian Open. Most recent court documents released by Australias Federal Circuit show that the tennis star tested positive for COVID-19 in December, granting him the medical exemption.
The document stated, “Mr. Djokovic had received, on 30 December 2021, a letter from the Chief Medical Officer of Tennis Australia recording that he had been provided with a ‘Medical exemption from COVID vaccination’ on the grounds that he had recently recovered from COVID.
On December 16, 2021, he had a positive PCR Test but did not show any respiratory symptoms. He did not have a fever either.
Earlier in the year, Australian Open organizers had announced that players who are not fully vaccinated cannot play at the grand slam event. However, this is contradicted by an unverified letter, dated December 7.
The latter stated that players were allowed to play in the Australian Open if they tested positive for COVID-19 within the last six months.
Djokovic who is unvaccinated arrived in Australia on January 5. The Australian Border Force determined that his vaccine exemption was invalid under the countrys BioSecurity Act. This is because a previous infection is not a medical contradiction for getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
The current World No.1s hearing is set for Monday. His lawyers argued that the champion had a reason to believe he was going to be allowed to enter Australia.
Fellow players have lent their support to Djokovic. This includes John Isner and Nick Kyrgios. Djokovics family in Serbia have staged protests in Belgrade this week. His father claims that Novak is being held captive.
Karen Andres of Australias home affairs has denied this. She said, “He is free to leave at any time that he chooses to do so, and Border Force will actually facilitate that. She also added, “It is the individual traveler’s responsibility to make sure that they have in place all the necessary documentation that is needed to enter Australia.”