Lawyers for Novak Djokovic have argued he should be granted leave to remain in Australia because he had Covid-19 less than a month ago and recovered from it. But his apparent infection would have come nearly a week after a deadline to apply for exemptions against getting vaccinated had passed. In a submission filed late on Friday, according to the BBC, Djokovic’s lawyers stated Tennis Australia had granted the world No 1 a “medical exemption from Covid vaccination” on the grounds he had recently covered from Covid-19. The world No 1’s legal team said he tested positive on December 16, though documents sent to all players by Australian Open organisers Tennis Australia stated applications for medical exemptions must come “no later” than December 10. “Whether or not you use the independent panel or use your own Australian doctor, all medical exemptions must meet the ATAGI [Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation] guidelines,” the documents, obtained by tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg, read. “Accordingly, we reiterate that the easiest way to ensure access to Melbourne Park for the Australian Open is to be fully vaccinated. 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 “If you wish to have your medical exemption reviewed by the independent panel, you will need to forward your application and supporting documentation to [email address] urgently and no later.” It is unclear from the court filings if December 16 is the date the PCR test was administered, or when Djokovic got his results back. Despite seemingly returning a positive PCR test, Djokovic also took part in a panel discussion in Serbia on the same day, according to pictures posted on his Instagram account, as well as a ceremony for a stamp being printed in his honour in his home country. Both events were held indoors, with pictures showing attendees were not wearing face masks. Djokovic also attended an indoor award ceremony for the best young tennis players in Serbia at the Novak Tennis Centre the day after his purported PCR positive. The 20-time grand slam champion is currently at the Park Hotel immigration detention centre after being denied entry to Australia . Djokovic landed in Melbourne on Wednesday night but was questioned at the airport for hours over his medical exemption, in a room guarded by police, after Australian border force officials discovered a visa issue with a member of his team. Djokovic treatment ‘really bad’ says Kyrgios – ‘he is human’ Officials said he had “failed to provide appropriate evidence” at the airport because a prior Covid-19 infection was not valid grounds to enter Australia without vaccination. His visa was then cancelled, following a backlash among locals to the news of his exemption, with Primer Minister Scott Morrison stating Djokovic “won’t be treated different than anyone else”. The nine-time Australian Open champion’s parents held a press conference on Thursday decrying his treatment, saying he was being held as a “prisoner” , where a refugee at the same facility said the food is “disgusting” and there is “no fresh air”. Australian home affairs minister Karen Andrews hit back. “Djokovic is not being held captive in Australia,” she told ABC. “He is free to leave [the country] at any time that he chooses to do so, and border force will actually facilitate that.” Supporters of the Serbian have gathered outside the Park Hotel for the last few days to demonstrate, with Djokovic awaiting a Federal Court hearing on Monday. Czech doubles specialist Renata Voracova has also been sent to the Park Hotel facility after being detained by Australian border force officials this week. It is believed the 38-year-old also entered Australia with a medical exemption, on the grounds she had recovered from a Covid-19 infection in the last six months. “According to our information, she has proven non-infectious status in a way that entitles her to participate in the tournament,” Czech foreign affairs spokeswoman Aneta Kovarova told Wide World of Sports. “She has even played one match. For this reason, we have lodged a protest note with the Australian authorities through the Embassy in Canberra, asking them to explain the situation.” Voracova and her doubles partner Katarzyna Piter lost 6-2, 6-4 to Arina Rodionova and Lesley Pattinama Kerkhove in the Gippsland Trophy round of 16 on January 5. Kovarova said Voracova will not challenge her visa being revoked and will leave the country because of a “limited possibility” of training before the Australian Open.