'Doesn't add up': Worrying twist in fresh Novak Djokovic virus claim
World No.1 Novak Djokovic has been called out after photos appeared to show him attending events maskless only days after court documents claim he tested positive for Covid-19.
As the World No.1 remained in immigration detention, the Federal Court released an online file outlining the details of his legal battle to remain in Australia.
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"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 ground that he had recently recovered from Covid," the documents read.
"The date of the first positive COVID PCR test was recorded on 16 December 2021."
The documents stunned the tennis world, but they appear to have raised more questions than answers.
Since the documents were released, photos have emerged on social media of Djokovic attending public events that are reported to have taken place after December 16.
This is despite his PCR test confirming his positive case. It is unknown when Djokovic was told of his result.
One photo posted on his Twitter account on December 17 shows the Djokovic receiving his very own commemorative stamp from the Serbian National Postal Service.
But the World No.1 isn't wearing a mask.
An honor to receive my very own Serbian stamp. Thank you to my generous country for this rare gift! I’m humbled!! Excited to share we’ll partner with the Serbian National Postal Service on @novakfoundation projects for every child to have the opportunity to attend preschool 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/Ww8Zma95NU
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) December 17, 2021
Djokovic also attended an award ceremony at the Novak Tennis Centre, according to photos posted on December 17.
Photos on social media show Djokovic posing with children without a mask.
Another photo shows Djokovic posing for a photo for French publication L'Equipe on December 18, two days after his test.
The photos prompted many on social media to question Djokovic's actions.
There’s more:
On December 17th, the day *after* Djokovic’s purported positive PCR test on December 16th, Djokovic attended an award ceremony for children at the Novak Tennis Center.
Many posts from the kids there posing for pictures with him that day, again masklessly indoors. pic.twitter.com/2ecOSwA7lU— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 8, 2022
Photos of a maskless Novak Djokovic after handing out awards to young Serbian players, dated December 17.
It’s the day after his lawyers say he tested positive for Covid. pic.twitter.com/z2w5Pa2iPE— Brett Mcleod (@Brett_McLeod) January 8, 2022
On 25th December, Novak Djokovic is pictured twice on the streets of Belgrade. He’s gently returning a tennis ball in a video & posing with a fan in another photo.
Serbian COVID rules state that you must self-isolate for 14 days after a positive PCR test. This was day 9.— Nick Stylianou (@nmsonline) January 8, 2022
French newspaper L'Équipe reveals that Novak Djokovic "posed without a mask during the presentation of the Champion of Champions 2021 trophy" on December 18, two days after allegedly testing positive for covid-19 (according to his lawyers).
You cannot make this stuff up... pic.twitter.com/y2Cf92ds93— Gaspar Ribeiro Lança (@gasparlanca) January 8, 2022
In court filings, Novak Djokovic's lawyers claim he was infected with Covid-19 on Dec 16. The next day, Dec 17, he attended a maskless event to be honoured with his own stamp. This from his Foundation website. pic.twitter.com/mm0Vy0WjgQ
— Rohan Smith (@Ro_Smith) January 8, 2022
A previous tweet claimed Novak Djokovic went to a stamp ceremony on the 17th of December, after testing positive for COVID on the 16th.
Turns out, they were on the same day. But even if we give him the benefit of the doubt, THIS was definitely on the 17th… pic.twitter.com/HTdmyTiLS9— Alastair McAlpine, MD (@AlastairMcA30) January 8, 2022
Exactly. And he was hanging around, maskless, around a bunch of kids the very next day.
Something doesn’t add up…— Alastair McAlpine, MD (@AlastairMcA30) January 8, 2022
So either Djokovic is lying and the positive covid test is fraudulent, or this “hero” has such a blatant disregard for anyone & everyone else he was happy to risk exposing covid to children. His reputation is in utter ruins, no coming back from this. https://t.co/AwliK4M5PR
— Todd Balym (@balymt) January 8, 2022
Leading tennis reporter Ben Rothenberg also pointed out Djokovic's positive case came six days after Tennis Australia claimed players could apply for a medical exemption.
This would have ruled Djokovic out of contention for a medical exemption - if he was applying for this - for the Australian Open.
A positive test on December 16 would have come too late for the Tennis Australia exemption process deadline as described to players.
According to Tennis Australia documents, the deadline for applying for an exemption had been nearly a week earlier, “no later than” December 10. pic.twitter.com/VOMxGggn02— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 8, 2022
...but this all also begs the question: around December 16, with only a month left until the #AusOpen began, what was Djokovic planning to do if he *didn't* get a positive test for Covid?
Was that somehow his plan for getting into the #AusOpen? Contracting a disease? Truly odd.— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 8, 2022
Court documents reveal Novak Djokovic Covid-19 case
The papers went on to outline that Djokovic had no recent fever or respiratory symptoms of Covid-19 a fortnight after his diagnosis.
One of the documents outlined an interview between Djokovic and the Australia Border Force.
A partial transcript of that interview included "you have stated you are not vaccinated against COVID-19".
When the 34-year-old Serb landed in Melbourne late on Wednesday, he was detained and questioned before his visa was revoked and the tennis star was taken to immigration detention.
Djokovic's matter is due back in court on Monday when lawyers will attempt to overturn the federal government's deportation order.
with AAP
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