According to Djokovic’s lawyers, he tested positive for Coronavirus…

According to Djokovic’s lawyers, he tested positive for Coronavirus in December.

Australia (Australia) — Novak Djokovic’s lawyers stated in a court filing on Saturday that the tennis player tested positive for the coronavirus in mid-December and that the Australian government erred in rejecting his visa this week due to a vaccine requirement.

Mr. Djokovic was denied entry to Australia on Thursday after landing at a Melbourne airport. He expects to defend his men’s singles crown at the Australian Open later this month. His visa was revoked because he failed to present proof to support his exemption from Australia’s requirement that all visitors be vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Mr. Djokovic’s lawyers stated in a petition on Saturday that he had been granted a vaccine exemption by Tennis Australia due to a positive coronavirus test result on Dec. 16 and the fact that he had not experienced a fever or respiratory symptoms in 72 hours 14 days later.

The lawyers contended that the exemption’s terms were in line with the recommendations of Australia’s immunization advisory board. «Mr. Djokovic understood that he was entitled to enter Australia» because of these and other reasons, according to the filing.

Mr. Djokovic, a vaccine sceptic, is in quarantine in a Melbourne hotel as he awaits a hearing on his appeal of the government’s decision to withdraw his visa, which is set for Monday.

He and his wife both tested positive for the coronavirus in June 2020, but his December infection was not previously publicized.

Mr. Djokovic’s lawyers claim that the Australian authorities misinterpreted or misapplied guidance from Australia’s immunization advisory council concerning whether a coronavirus infection within the previous six months could exclude him from the vaccine requirement when revoking his visa.

Mr Djokovic was also denied procedural justice after arriving in Australia, according to the complaint, when he was held at the airport by immigration authorities from about midnight to 8 a.m.

Mr. Djokovic’s lawyers claim that immigration officials initially told him that a decision on his visa would not be made until after 8.30 a.m. after he had spoken with Tennis Australia officials. However, they claim he was forced to make a quick decision at 6 a.m. According to the petition, he gave in «felt he had no option,» and was alerted at 7:42 a.m. that his visa had been revoked.