Novak Djokovic, whose Australian lawyers say he tested positive for Covid-19 on December 16, attended a ceremony in Belgrade the next day, without a mask, in honor of young Serbian players, according to a publication on social networks consulted Saturday by AFP.
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In a statement released on December 17, the Belgrade Tennis Federation announced on its Facebook page that “the best tennis player on the planet” and “holder of 20 Grand Slam titles” on the same day presented cups and diplomas to young players. “Only the awarded children attended the presentation of the cups which took place in the Novak tennis center” in Belgrade “due to health measures linked to the coronavirus pandemic”, we read there. The post contains several photos of Djokovic with federation officials and around 20 teenagers, all without a mask. Most Serbian media reported the ceremony on December 17.
Djokovic also attended the day before – the day of his positive test – another public event: the presentation of a tribute stamp to his effigy by the Serbian post. He himself posted a photo of it on Instagram. The Serbian traveled to Australia mid-week after obtaining a medical exemption from the vaccination requirement to compete in the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam tournament of the season, but his visa was canceled at his arrival and he has since been in detention center in Melbourne awaiting the examination of his appeal on Monday morning.
The N.1 worldwide treatment by the Australian authorities is strongly denounced in his country, first of all by his family, which since Thursday has been organizing daily rallies in Belgrade, but also by political leaders. His brother Djordje said Novak could have returned but that this decision would amount to a “defeat”.
“Treated like a criminal”
“I believe the court will make a fair decision (…) The most important thing is to prove the truth and the fact that Novak did nothing wrong to be treated like a criminal”his brother told Croatian RTL television. He assured not to know if Novak would play at the Australian Open in the event of a favorable decision of the justice. “I think even Novak doesn’t know right now (if he’s going to play) because he’s overwhelmed with emotions. I think tennis and the Grand Slam are last on his mind now.”, a dit Djordje Djokovic.
This 2022 edition of the Australian Open is of historic significance for the world No. 1: he would seek a historic 21st Grand Slam coronation, which would allow him to overtake his two historic rivals, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said for her part that she discussed the situation on Saturday morning with the head of Australian diplomacy Marise Payne, but that the Serbian superstar will have to remain in detention until Monday.
“We are fighting (…), this story is full of emotions”Ana Brnabic said on Pink TV. She explained that efforts by the Serbian authorities had resulted in the delivery of gluten-free food, gym equipment and a computer to Djokovic.
Serbian parliament speaker Ivica Dacic, for his part, accused the Australian government of “politicizing” the affair and of wanting to block Djokovic’s sporting ambitions. “Novak is already the winner because it is obvious that they do not allow him to play, that it is the only way to prevent him from becoming the best tennis player in history”, he told public broadcaster RTS.
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