Novak Djokovic's Covid tests taken before the Australian Open were not falsified, says Serbian authorities

Novak Djokovic's Covid-19 tests taken prior to the Australian Open in December were valid, according to Serbian authorities. A BBC report had cast doubt on the sequencing of the tests that were submitted to Australian officials ahead of the 34-year-old's unsuccessful attempt to play in the Australian Open.

Ad/> That investigation had in turn built on an initial study by German research group Zerforschung that claimed that Djokovic's first PCR test on 16 December — which came back positive — had a higher code than the second one — which came back negative — on December 22. TennisNadal snubbed by Laureus Awards as Djokovic nominated — Raducanu and Daley included too17 HOURS AGO Nadal snubbed by Laureus Awards as Djokovic nominated — Raducanu and Daley included too Djokovic, Del Potro return, Thiem delay — what's next on tennis calendar? Nadal feels 'lucky' to be part of Big Three alongside Federer, Djokovic But the Belgrade Public Prosecutor's Office — having received confirmation from the country's Health Ministry and after inspecting the electronic database in question — has declared them to be accurate.

The prosecutors said on Wednesday: «It was established that Novak Djokovic was tested multiple times and the test results from December 16 and December 22 were valid.» Djokovic was ultimately deported from Australia having seen his visa cancelled after appeal. The grounds given by the judge were however to do with his unvaccinated status at the time, rather than any suspicion over his documentation.

Djokovic's next move looks likely to be an appearance in the Dubai Tennis Championships running from 14-26 February, given there is no requirement to be vaccinated to compete. It will be the Serb's first competitive