Twist in Djokovic tale

FurTher doubts have emerged over the pre-Christmas positive Covid test that Novak Djokovic used as a premise to enter australia this month. an investigation by the BBC has backed up the report from German research group Zerforschung which suggested that it may not have occurred on December 16 as claimed. using tests taken around that time from staff based in Belgrade and a Serbian scientist, the broadcaster has tallied up the confirmation codes and compared them to those submitted by the world No 1. The findings are in line with the German research, which suggested that the positive test actually took place immediately after Christmas. having compared Djokovic’s test with 56 others, the player’s sequenced number is the only outlier, and it would appear to correspond with the test having been carried out between December 25 and 28.

The wider sample included tests taken on December 18 and 20 which were processed in the same laboratory as those of the player’s, which both showed lower numerical confirmation codes. Djokovic hasn’t gone into detail about how events unfolded after December 16, although he has referred to some ‘misinformation’ in reports. The 34-year-old’s representatives did not respond to requests for comment. On December 17 he was pictured maskless at a children’s charity function in Belgrade, and on the 18th did a photoshoot and interview with French publication L’Equipe. Tennis australia have also avoided going into any specifics about their communication with Djokovic prior to his arrival in Melbourne, saying that they will review what happened once the tournament is over.