Tennis star Novak Djokovic received honors at a small Adriatic Sea resort in Montenegro on Friday even as doubts re-emerged about the positive Covid-19 test he used to try to compete in the Australian Open.
The BBC on Friday reported discrepancies in the serial numbers of tests Serbian authorities ad-ministered to Djokovic in the days prior to his trip to Australia, suggesting possible irregularities in the way they were issued.
Djokovic’s media team and the Institute of Pub-lic Health in Serbia did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the Associated Press. Senior Serbian health officials have previously said that Djokovic’s test was valid and issued by a rele-vant institution.
Djokovic was deported from Australia and barred from playing in the Australian Open earlier this month after a 11-day visa saga on the eve of the tournament because he failed to meet Australia’s strict Covid-19 vaccination requirements.
To enter Australia, Djokovic submitted a posi-tive Covid test issued in Serbia from Dec. 16 for a visa exemption on the grounds that he had con-tracted Covid-19 prior to the tournament.
The 34-year-old player is not vaccinated and the Australian government later decided to cancel his visa and deport Djokovic, saying his presence in Australia could stir anti-vaccination sentiments.—AP
