The family of Novak Djokovic refused to answer questions surrounding the tennis player’s positive Covid-19 test, adjourning a press conference on Monday when asked why the world No. 1 had appeared to have not followed self-isolation rules upon receiving the result last month.
According to multiple sources, Djokovic mingled with children without a mask at an event the day after he tested positive for Covid-19.
Djokovic won his appeal against deportation from Australia on Monday after Judge Anthony Kelly quashed an order to cancel his visa following scrutiny over his medical exemption for the Covid vaccine.
The decision to cancel Djokovic’s visa was overturned in the Federal Circuit Court on Monday and he plans to play in the Australian Open starting next week.
However, the federal government says it is still considering whether to cancel his visa, saying it has the power to do so despite the court ruling in the Serbian’s favour.
Djokovic, who is unvaccinated, received a medical exemption to compete in the year’s first grand slam but when he touched down in Melbourne last week, was told by the Australian Border Force he had insufficient evidence to prove his exemption was justified.
Djokovic was kept in a Melbourne hotel until the end of Monday’s hearing, when he was released from detention.
Djokovic’s exemption was based on his and Tennis Australia’s belief that having contracted Covid-19 in the past six months was a valid reason to not be vaccinated.
Court documents released after the hearing reveal the 20-time grand slam champion was swabbed at 1.05pm on December 16 and received a positive result at 8.19pm.
