Novak Djokovic: Corona test wrong - or did he behave irresponsibly?
After some confusion about Novak Djokovic's positive COVID-19 test, a clearer picture could have emerged - but not a good one.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Jan 10, 2022, 11:45 am
The reason for an exemption to enter Australia, at least in accordance with the requirements of Tennis Australia and Victoria, was, among other things, a corona infection within the past six months. And Djokovic had evidently proven just such a thing.
He tested positive for COVID-19 on December 16, 2021, Djokovic admitted last week when trying to enter the country, according to the court files . That he was seen performing in public on December 17th and 18th - on the 17th at an award ceremony with many children in his tennis center? So far, "in dubio pro reo" had been justified by the fact that Djokovic might not have received the positive result until the following days.
And an appearance on December 24th, playing tennis on a street in Belgrade: with the fact that a new test had been carried out on December 22nd, this time negative.
Positive corona test: did Djokovic behave completely irresponsibly?
As has now become known, however, the result of the positive corona test was already available on the evening of December 16. This raises further questions: If that's true, Djokovic behaved completely irresponsibly by being out and about in public on December 17th, posing with many children, without a mask, without contact restrictions.
Another possibility: the PCR test was not real. The fact that Djokovic actually (again, after June 2020) was infected with Corona seems entirely plausible: On December 14th, he had attended a basketball game and met a player who later tested positive. It is possible that the test was then carried out on December 16.
This is not only critical for Djokovic because of the irresponsible behavior then: His continued stay in Australia could also be indirectly related to it. Even if the court did not verify the "authenticity" of his corona test (they relied on the issuing doctors), Immigration Secretary Alex Hawke is also allowed to cancel a visa if an applicant is viewed as a "threat to public health". This could include an applicant being known to be among people despite positive PCR tests.
Today, however, this will not happen again, a decision from Hawke is due on Tuesday at the earliest.
At the hearing on Monday , Djokovic was acquitted for lack of time to enter the country to explain his situation.
Whatever happens, and whether or not Djokovic is allowed to stay in Australia, he will have to answer a few questions.