Here is a timeline of events so far.
Djokovic is granted an Australian temporary entry visa to compete in the Australian Open, a tournament the 34-year-old has won nine times. Djokovic applied for the visa sometime in October or November 2021.
Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt reportedly writes to Australian Open Tournament Director and Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley stating that a Covid-19 infection alone in the past six months — without full vaccination — does not meet the requirements for quarantine-free entry into the country, according to a leaked letter published in Australian local media.
December 2020
Tennis Australia reportedly sends a letter to players stating that a Covid-19 infection in the past six months, together with an accompanying letter from a doctor, would qualify as a valid medical exemption; and noting that players have until December 10 to submit their medical exemption applications, according to a leaked letter published in Australian local media.
Djokovic attends a basketball game in Belgrade — after which it was reported that a number of people tested positive with Covid-19 — according to a statement posted on Djokovic’s verified Instagram account on January 12, 2021.
Djokovic takes a rapid antigen test — which is negative — and also takes an official and approved PCR test “out of an abundance of caution,” according to Djokovic’s statement.
Djokovic’s PCR test result comes back positive later that day, according to a copy of his test result in his affidavit, but his January 12 statement says he did not receive the notification of a positive PCR test result until after a tennis event on December 17.
Later, he is photographed at three events, according to images posted on his foundation’s official social media, and none of the participants are masked.
Djokovic attends a tennis event in Belgrade to present awards to children, having taken a rapid antigen test prior, which was negative, according to Djokovic’s statement.
The Belgrade Tennis Association’s Facebook page posts various photos of Djokovic pictured alongside a group of young people at a tennis awards ceremony. One photo shows at least 26 — mostly young — people posing with him. Social distancing measures are not being observed and no masks are being worn.
At some point after the event, Djokovic receives the notification of a positive PCR test, according to his statement.
Djokovic is at his tennis center in Belgrade to fulfill a L’Equipe interview and photoshoot. His statement says he socially distanced and wore a mask except when his photograph was being taken.
Journalist Franck Ramella and photographer Etienne Garnier were not told Djokovic was Covid-positive before, during or after the interview with the tennis star in Belgrade, the French sports newspaper reported on January 12.
The L’Equipe article states Ramella has since tested negative to Covid-19. It does not mention Garnier’s health.
Djokovic tests negative for the virus, according to his affidavit.
Before the year ends, video and images appear to show Djokovic in Spain and Serbia in the two-week period before traveling to Australia. Djokovic had ticked ‘No’ on a travel declaration when asked if he had traveled in the 14 days prior to his arrival into Australia, according to court documents obtained by CNN.
January 2021
Djokovic’s team submits his travel declaration to the Australian Ministry of Home Affairs, which notifies them that it has been assessed and he is cleared for quarantine-free arrival, according to the affidavit.
Djokovic receives a Border Travel Permit by the state government of Victoria, according to his affidavit, where Melbourne is located and where the Australian Open will take place.
Having left Spain the day before, Djokovic arrives in Melbourne close to midnight. His passport is taken and he is escorted to a small room where he is interviewed by border control officers, according to the affidavit.
In a news conference, Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirms and reads out the letter sent on November 29 from Health Minister Hunt to Tennis Australia stating that a Covid-19 infection alone in the past six months does not meet the requirements for quarantine-free entry.
The Australian Border Force (ABF) is investigating whether Djokovic submitted a false travel declaration ahead of arrival in Australia.
Djokovic says his team has provided additional information to the Australian Government to clarify the issue of his travel declaration.
However, Australian Border Force (ABF) officials are investigating possible inconsistencies in documents related to Djokovic’s December PCR result as well as the tennis player’s movements in the days after he tested positive for Covid-19 in Serbia, a source with knowledge of the investigation told CNN.