London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 10, 2025

Djokovic Covid infection leads to conspiracy theories

Djokovic Covid infection leads to conspiracy theories

The top tennis star's positive test for Covid-19 reportedly came after a medical exemption deadline set by organizers – and skeptics have rushed to make claims about Djokovic's conduct

Novak Djokovic's Australian Open legal appeal has copped fresh cynicism from some, while reports suggest that his December infection came after an exemption cut-off.

Saturday's disclosure by Djokovic's legal team, which indicated that a December 16 diagnosis of Covid-19 was central to his medical exemption application to compete at the Australian Open from January 17, has come under further scrutiny amid evidence that his infection came after a December 10 deadline imposed by Tennis Australia which would see exemption requests arbitrated by an independent medical panel.

Djokovic was detained by Australian Border Force officials shortly after landing in Melbourne on Tuesday, when it was determined that his exemption didn't meet federal criteria. He is currently in a detention hotel awaiting a Monday appeal hearing to decide if he is to be deported.

"Whether or not you use an independent panel or your own Australian doctor, all medical exemptions must meet the [Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation] guidelines," information distributed to players in December reads.


"Accordingly, we reiterate that the easiest way to ensure access to Melbourne Park for the Australian Open is to be fully vaccinated.

"If you wish to have your medical exemption reviewed by the independent panel, you will need to forward your application and supporting documentation... urgently and no later than Friday 10 December 2021."

Legal papers filed by Djokovic indicate that he would have missed that deadline by at least six days, though it remains unclear whether he received a test on December 16 or was notified of positive test results on that date.



That has led to speculation online over how Djokovic could have planned to compete in the first Grand Slam of 2022 had he not been diagnosed with Covid-19 last month.

Further questions have been raised about his December infection after he was said to have been seen going maskless at two public indoor events on the day he is thought to have tested positive for the potentially fatal virus.

The first was a panel discussion and another was a ceremony to celebrate a stamp bearing his image being released.



A day later, on December 17, he attended another indoor event – this time an award ceremony for children at his Novak Djokovic Tennis Center in Belgrade. Once again, attendees do not appear to have worn masks.

Eight days after his positive test, on December 25, Djokovic was filmed playing tennis with children on the streets of the Serbian capital.



Some observers, such as New York Times journalist Ben Rothenburg, have even questioned whether Djokovic might have deliberately contracted the virus.

Several other critics also weighed in on social media. "Djokovic's story seems to be changing all the time," remarked one.

"So basically he either conducted himself poorly after being positive or he's lying," said another.

"Great player but... even if you explain being [outside while having] Covid, you can't explain how he applied for exemption when the deadline was earlier."

Another added: "Based on his timeline, on December 15 he must have given up all hope of playing in the Australian Open. A month out from the tournament, was he literally just banking on getting Covid so he could play? This all seems too much of a coincidence."

Others backed Djokovic, with some readers in Serbia pointing out that PCR test results can take several days to be returned.



"He said some time ago that if vaccination were required, he would have to decide at that time whether to get vaccinated or skip that event," pointed out one. "Maybe he was planning to skip it? Why assume the worst?

Another said: "I don't think he would plan to get Covid. Nobody would ever plan to get it.

"I would like to know why he was allowed on the plane. He must've thought all his paper work and visa was in order, otherwise he would not have boarded the flight to Melbourne. It's not his fault."

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Labour Expected to Withdraw Support for Special Needs Funding Model
Leaked Audio Reveals Tory Aide Defending DEI Record
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
×