BBC investigation raises doubts over timing of Novak Djokovic's positive COVID test

The date of a positive COVID test Novak Djokovic used to enter Australia has been called into question by a BBC investigation which analysed the serial numbers of test results he submitted to the Federal Court. 

The world number one tennis player was deported earlier this month after the Federal Court rejected his bid to overturn a federal government decision to cancel his visa.

Djokovic's initial medical exemption was granted on the basis he tested positive on December 16, 2021.

Among documents Djokovic's lawyers filed to the Federal Court were two COVID-19 tests — one which indicated he had tested positive on December 16, 2021, and one which showed he had tested negative on December 22, 2021. 

The documents submitted to the Federal Court included a confirmation from the acting director of Serbia's health body confirming the accuracy of the dates on the certificates.  

However, the BBC investigation found Djokovic's two tests were out of sequence, as the serial number for the later test (7320919) was lower than the earlier test (7371999).

Examining 56 COVID-19 tests they had gathered from Serbia, the BBC found that all the codes fit in the same chronological order, except for Djokovic's December 16 positive test.

According to their analysis, the serial number of Djokovic's positive test fit chronologically in between tests dated December 25 and December 28. The BBC said this suggested his positive test result may have actually occurred sometime between these two dates.

The Federal Court releases the reasons why it upheld the federal government's decision to cancel the visa of tennis star Novak Djokovic.

The BBC said it had put its findings to Serbia government officials on multiple occasions but had not received a response.

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