Australian Open: Novak Djokovic’s lawyers cite Covid-19 positive for medical exemption – but infection came after application deadline
- World No 1’s legal team argue he should get leave to remain in Australia because he returned positive PCR test on December 16
- But documents sent to all players by Tennis Australia stated applications for medical exemptions must come ‘no later’ than December 10
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.
01:50
Tennis star Djokovic denied entry to Melbourne ahead of Australian Open over vaccine exemption error
“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.