Novak Djokovic examined optimistic to Covid six days after the Tennis Australia deadline to use for a medical exemption - elevating issues the world No.1 was given particular remedy by event organisers.
Federal Courtroom paperwork that got here to mild on Saturday revealed the detained world No.1 used his optimistic Covid-19 outcome from December 16 to achieve a vaccination exemption from TA.
Unvaccinated gamers had been advised by TA in a December 7 letter they might apply for a brief medical exemption if they'd caught the virus previously six months.
The functions wanted to be submitted to an unbiased skilled panel by December 10, six days earlier than Djokovic's optimistic outcome.
The timing signifies Tennis Australia might have made an exception for the world's finest tennis star to get him into the nation forward of the January 17 Grand Slam.
Had Djokovic submitted his utility earlier than the deadline, he wouldn't have been capable of defend his Australian Open crown as he had but to contract Covid.
The leaked Tennis Australia letter first surfaced on Friday after being printed by the Herald Solar.
Courtroom paperwork on Saturday confirmed that on December 30 Tennis Australia's chief medical officer granted Djokovic a 'medical exemption from Covid vaccination' on the premise he had lately recovered from the virus.
The Serbian sports activities star on January 1 additionally obtained a 'doc from the Division of Dwelling Affairs (which) advised Djokovic that his 'responses point out(d) that (he met) the necessities for a quarantine-free arrival into Australia', the authorized filings mentioned.
Nevertheless when Djokovic arrived at Melbourne Airport on Wednesday night time he was questioned for hours by border officers, who then cancelled his visa.
Djokovic, an outspoken critic of obligatory vaccination, has by no means disclosed his personal vaccination standing.
He's difficult his visa cancellation in Australian federal court docket in hopes of profitable his twenty first Grand Slam at Melbourne Park later this month.
Djokovic stays in a detention resort in Melbourne and his case might be heard in court docket on Monday.
In the meantime one other tennis star, Renata Voráčová, 38, who was held in detention alongside Djokovic, had her visa cancelled by border officers and was deported from Australia on a flight to Dubai after not interesting the choice to detain her.
The ladies's world No.80 had already performed in a warm-up competitors in Melbourne.
TIMELINE OF DJOKOVIC'S COVID DEBACLE
She and the lads's No.1 are believed to have been granted the identical exemption by Tennis Australia - that they each had been lately contaminated with Covid-19.
An Australian Border Power spokesman mentioned one other particular person linked to the Australian Open 'has voluntarily departed Australia following ABF inquiries'.
Particulars have additionally emerged of his six-hour interrogation by Australian Border Power officers after touchdown at Melbourne Airport late on Wednesday night time.
Djokovic's legal professionals declare when he was lastly given the possibility to sleep, two supervisors rapidly woke him and allegedly pressured him to just accept the choice of cancelling his visa, telling him he would not have the ability to lodge an attraction till it was cancelled.
This was earlier than the participant was capable of communicate to Tennis Australia or his authorized staff.
Djokovic had needed to attend till after 8am to contact TA officers however a choice was made at 7.42am.
He had allegedly been advised he may relaxation till 8.30am.
Throughout his interview with Border Power officers paperwork confirmed Djokovic advised them: 'you, the division, led me to imagine on the identical data I'm supplying you with now, that I used to be authorised to enter Australia quarantine-free'.
Tennis Australia's boss Craig Tiley on Saturday broke his silence on the saga, claiming his workers have achieved an 'unbelievable job'.
His claims got here regardless of the governing physique coming below fireplace for misinforming the unvaccinated tennis star.
In a leaked video, Tiley acknowledged TA workers's professionalism and diligence in what he firmly believes has been an intensive job within the lead as much as the annual grand slam event.
'There's plenty of finger pointing happening and plenty of blaming happening, however I can guarantee you our staff has achieved an unbelievable job and have achieved all the things they probably may in line with all of the directions that they've been supplied,' he mentioned within the clip.
'We empathise with the state of affairs we at the moment have. We're a participant first occasion...we're working intently with Novak and his staff.'
The Herald Solar earlier reported Tennis Australia had wrongly advised unvaccinated gamers they might play within the event on the premise they'd contracted the virus 'the place vaccination may be deferred till six months after an infection'.
Nevertheless, TA had already been notified by the Federal Authorities in November that prior infections wouldn't permit the unvaccinated into the nation.
It comes after Djokovic demanded he obtain a private chef and have entry to a tennis court docket whereas staying in his Melbourne resort, which is used to accommodate refugees.
Australian Border Power officers have rejected his calls for with the world No.1 advised he'll obtain no particular remedy at Carlton's Park Resort.
Djokovic had requested a private chef so he may keep his very strict weight-reduction plan because the tennis professional lives with an intolerance to gluten.
The 34-year-old had additionally requested to be transferred to a rented house with a tennis court docket so he may prepare and stay in high form forward of the Australian Open.
Djokovic even supplied to pay for personal guards within the hopes he may make the transfer.
However Australian Border Power have rejected his requests and insisted he'll stay on the resort till a court docket guidelines on his deportation on Monday.
Nevertheless, Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic confirmed the athlete might be given gluten-free meals, a laptop computer, and could have train gear in his room.
Djokovic has been compelled to powerful it out alongside 32 different refugees and asylum seekers who've beforehand complained about poor residing situations on the resort that has been dubbed the 'Different Place of Detention'.
Maggot-riddled meals, mouldy bread, fires, Covid outbreaks and bugs in rooms are among the many complaints made by a few of the company.
His detainment on the resort has sparked rallies in Melbourne and Belgrade with the Serbian authorities claiming the situations are usually not 'befitting' to the most effective sportsman whereas Djokovic's household have accused the Australian authorities of treating their son like a 'prisoner'.
The positioning been used as a authorities detention resort since December 2020, with workers and company beforehand slamming it as an 'incubator' for Covid.
Djokovic, who has refused to disclose what number of, if any, Covid jabs he has obtained, must stay in his room the place the home windows are sealed shut and air is circulated by air conditioners.
Hehas additionally spoken out from contained in the resort to thank his household and followers for his or her assist as he waits to listen to whether or not he might be deported.
The Serbian tennis ace, who has been held since Wednesday after he was barred from coming into the nation to compete within the Australian Open, additionally posted a Christmas message as a result of right this moment is Christmas Day within the Orthodox custom.
'Thanks to individuals all over the world to your steady assist. I can really feel it and it's significantly appreciated,' he wrote in English beneath a publish in Serbian, during which he additionally thanked his household and countrymen.
A second publish in opposition to a background which featured a picture of the start of Christ mentioned: 'God's peace. Christ is born. Completely satisfied Christmas. Might God's love invigorate and fulfill you all.'
The athlete's publish got here after spouse Jelena penned her personal Instagram publish lending assist to her husband whereas calling for 'love and forgiveness'.
The 35-year-old mother-of-two, who met Djokovic as a youngster and has been censured for spreading Covid disinformation previously, wrote on Instagram that she is 'taking a deep breath to relax and discover gratitude (and understanding) on this second for all that's taking place.'
'Thanks pricey individuals, all all over the world for utilizing your voice to ship like to my husband,' she added. 'The one legislation that we should always all respect throughout each single border is Love and respect for an additional human being.'
She additionally wished her husband a 'completely happy Christmas' as a result of Orthodox Christians mark Jesus's birthday on January 7. An Orthodox priest mentioned it was 'appalling' that Djokovic is spending the day in a resort likened to a 'torture chamber'.
Her message was posted amid protests in Serbia led by Djokovic's mother and father, who've slammed his remedy by Australian border officers - claiming he's being held 'prisoner' in 'horrible' situations.
However Dwelling Affairs Minister Karen Andrews has hit again, saying Djokovic can depart any time he desires and is staying of his personal will whereas legal professionals contest the border ruling.
