Serbian officials dismiss reports questioning the authenticity of Novak Djokovic's PCR test
On Wednesday, the Serbian justice's office dismissed reports that suggested Novak Djokovic used a false PCR test to gain a medical exemption for the Australian Open.
As per the Tanjug news agency, a complaint was filed on 12 January against individuals who allegedly falsified documents for the World No. 1 so that he could travel to Australia for the Asia-Pacific Grand Slam. Media reports also called into question the validity of Djokovic's test.
The prosecution requested for verification of the certificates of the results of Djokovic's PCR tests from 16 and 22 December. According to the Ministry of Health, the certificate was valid and the complaint was dismissed.
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The World No.1 arrived in Melbourne in January with a medical exemption from Tennis Australia. But the Australian Border Force revoked his visa at the airport. The Serb was detained at the Park Hotel in Carlton but was released after a ruling from Federal Circuit Court judge Anthony Kelly.
However, his visa was canceled for a second time by Australia's immigration minister Alex Hawke. Djokovic was deported to Serbia and his title defense at the Australian Open came to an end even before it could begin. Rafael Nadal eventually won the tournament and with it his record-breaking 21st Grand Slam.
The World No. 1 was reportedly considering suing the Australian government for £3.2 million for 'ill-treatment' with compensation including £2.3 million from the Australian Open's prize pool, although those reports were also rubbished.
Novak Djokovic to play at the Dubai Tennis Championships
Despite missing the Australian Open, Djokovic remains World No. 1 but the gap between him and Daniil Medvedev is only 890 points.
The Serb will kick off his 2022 season at the upcoming Dubai Tennis Championships. Other players on the entry list include Andrey Rublev, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Jannik Sinner and reigning champion Aslan Karatsev.
He’s back! Novak Djokovic, the world number one, is returning to the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium next month.
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The World No. 1 is a heavy favorite to win the tournament. Provided the Serb triumphs, it will be his sixth title at the Dubai Tennis Championships.
With the 34-year-old yet to be vaccinated against COVID-19, he might not have it easy entering tournaments on the ATP tour. His participation in the French Open already looks doubtful as France's health minister Roxana Maracineanu said the country was looking to introduce vaccination passes.
However, the Serb's biographer Daniel Muksch recently said that the World No. 1 could be getting vaccinated soon.