Novak Djokovic Covid-19 tests were valid: Serbian officials refute media reports

Novak Djokovic’s Covid tests submitted to Australian officials last month were legitimate, Serbian authorities said Wednesday, after a series of media reports questioned the authenticity of the documents. The 34-year-old world number one couldn’t play in the Australian Open subsequent to being deported over Covid-19 vaccination issues, despite initially receiving an exemption from officials based on a positive PCR test weeks ahead of the tournament.

“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.

The assertion came only days after the BBC published a report casting “doubt”over the tests, suggesting the serial number on the documents were out of sequence with others from roughly the same period.

Serbian officials have not responded directly to the claims levied by the BBC and other media sources who have raised similar questions.

The Serb, however, remained world number one in the rankings released earlier this week and extended his record-breaking run in the top spot to 358 weeks.

On Thursday, Djokovic is scheduled to meet Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade where he is relied upon to make a brief public address.