Serbia's prosecutor's office said there was no evidence suggesting the tests had been manipulated, according to an inquiry by the country's health ministry.
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In fresh new claims, Serbia prosecutor’s office on Wednesday said that the Covid-19 test results shared by World No.1 Novak Djokovic to participate at the Australian Open 2022 were valid. The statement was released after several media reports questioned the authenticity of the documents submitted by the Serbian megastar. Djokovic was deported from Australia ahead of the Australian Open 2022 as his medical exemption was not valid enough to participate at the Grand Slam. “It was established that Novak Djokovic was tested multiple times and the… test results from December 16 and December 22 were valid,” read the statement from the office.
News firm BBC had published a report which casted doubt over the tests, suggesting the serial number on the documents were out of sequence with others from roughly the same period.
The verdict denied the Serbian megastar a chance to set the men’s record with 21 Grand Slam titles ahead of his arch-rivals and greatest of the current era Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
It was a hard toil for Djokovic ever since he landed in Australia with the medical exemption. His visa was revoked for the second-time after his bid to participate at the Australian Open was granted by the Federal Court on Monday following which he was deported.
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“The government is firmly committed to protecting Australia’s borders. Particularly in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic,” Australian immigration minister Alex Hawke said in a statement. He cited “health and good order grounds” for the decision. He added, “It was in the public interest to do so”.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison backed the decision. “Australians have made many sacrifices during this pandemic, and they rightly expect the result of those sacrifices to be protected.”
The scenario occurred after his visa was revoked for the first time but the Federal Court only cleared him to participate in the major championship.
However, despite not participating at the first Grand Slam of the year, Djokovic maintained his top spot and extended his record-breaking run to 358 weeks. He is due to meet Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade where he is expected to make a brief public address.
