MELBOURNE – Tennis world number one Novak Djokovic could be looking at a fine or even prison time in Serbia after the tennis star admitted to breaking isolation after testing positive for Covid last month, lawyers have said, as the Serbian prime minister warned that his behaviour appeared to be “a clear breach” of the rules, according to a report in The Guardian yesterday.
The 34-year-old tennis player, who is chasing a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam victory at the Australian Open, could still face deportation as the government is unhappy with his medical exemption from inoculation.
Djokovic acknowledged yesterday that he knew he had tested positive for coronavirus when he attended an interview and photoshoot in the Serbian capital on December 18 for French newspaper L’Equipe, saying in a statement on social media that he had made an “error of judgment”.
The player also blamed “human error” by his support team for a mistake in his immigration paperwork, saying they had failed to declare that he had travelled outside Serbia – to Spain – in the two-week period before entering Australia.
Lawyers in Serbia told local reporters that breaking the country’s strict isolation rules was an offence under article 248 of the criminal code, and subject to a fine or prison sentence of up to three years – although community service was more likely.
In an affidavit to the court, Djokovic said he was “tested and diagnosed” as having contracted Covid on 16 December. In his statement yesterday, however, he said he was not notified of his positive status until the following day.
He said he was not aware he had tested positive until after a tennis event he attended in Belgrade on December 17 but admitted he was aware of his status when he went to his tennis centre on December 18 for an interview and photoshoot for L’Equipe.
As a national hero in his home country and major public figure, Djokovic risked an exemplary sanction if found guilty, according to lawyers in Serbia, but they suggested – in principle − he should be able to negotiate a community service order.
Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić said Djokovic should explain what she called a grey area.
“If you’re positive, you have to isolate,” Brnabić told the BBC, adding that if the player had broken the rules, she would have to consult “relevant authorities”.
Brnabić said she did not know for sure “when he actually got the results”. She said while she disagreed with his stance on vaccination, Djokovic was “one of the great champions of Serbia” and she hoped he could play in the Australian Open. – Agencies, January 13, 2022
