‘He didn’t know’: Novak’s mum makes major claim about positive Covid test

Novak Djokovic’s mum dropped a bombshell on live TV this morning as she answered burning questions about his visa scandal.

Novak’s mum made a huge claim about his Covid-19 test. Photo: Channel 7.

Novak Djokovic’s mother Dijana says the tennis star “didn’t know” he had Covid-19 in the days after his swab returned a positive result last month as she opened up about her son’s ordeal.

Djokovic, who is unvaccinated, received a medical exemption to compete at the Australian Open but when he touched down in Melbourne last week, was told by the Australian Border Force he had insufficient evidence to prove his exemption was justified.

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The decision to cancel Djokovic’s visa was overturned in the Federal Circuit Court on Monday but even though Judge Anthony Kelly found in the tennis star’s favour, there is still the possibility he could be deported.

Speaking exclusively to Channel 7’s Sunrise on Wednesday morning, Dijana was asked if the world No. 1 was aware he’d been infected with the virus for a second time in December, after photos showed him out and about in the community while he was Covid-positive.

Court documents showed Djokovic tested positive on December 16 but the day after he reportedly attended an awards ceremony at the Novak Tennis Centre in Belgrade, where multiple photos on social media show the 34-year-old posing for photos with children without wearing a mask.

French newspaper L’Équipe also revealed Djokovic posed without a mask during a photo shoot on December 18.

“He didn’t know, probably. He didn’t know,” Dijana said when asked by Sunrise host Matt Shirvington if Djokovic knowingly mingled with members of the public while positive.

“Because when he realised that he is positive then he goes to isolate, into isolation. Because he didn’t know.”

However, Dijana then added: “I really cannot say anything about that, maybe the best is to ask him.”

Djokovic’s mother also addressed controversy surrounding his paperwork as it emerged on Tuesday Australian Border Force officials are investigating whether the 34-year-old lied on his entry form to come into Australia.

On his Travel Declaration form — which formed part of court documents released on Monday — the 20-time major champion ticked a box saying he had not travelled, and was not planning to travel, in the 14 days prior to his flight Down Under.

However, photos and videos show him in Serbia on Christmas Day, and in January he was preparing for the Australian Open in Spain.

Djokovic was pictured in Belgrade on Christmas. Picture: djordjic17/Instagram

He was later seen training in Spain in January. Picture: Reuters video

“Has Novak been upfront?” Shirvington asked. “Has it been honest? Has it been an honest mistake from Novak to this point?”

Dijana replied: “I cannot say because I am not into it, I don’t know exactly all the issues. I’m reading in the newspapers, I didn’t talk about that with Novak so I really cannot say anything about that.

“What I can say is Judge Kelly had seven hours to listen to both sides and he decided that Novak is free, so for me this is a closed book.”

Mystery surrounded Djokovic’s vaccination status for months leading up to the Australian Open and court documents confirmed he has not received the Covid-19 jab. He and Tennis Australia believed contracting the virus within the past six months was grounds to receive a vaccination exemption but this has sparked mass confusion as a blame game erupted between the federal government, Victorian government and Tennis Australia.

Asked if she supported Djokovic’s decision not to get vaccinated, Dijana said: “Novak is 34-35, even me as a mother I don’t have any choice to make pressure on him.

“He has his own philosophy of his life. If he thinks like that, I can just say OK.

“I know that Novak is the most healthiest guy in the world, like a sportsman. He takes care of his life and his body so much that nobody can even imagine how. He’s so dedicated to this sport and dedicated to what he’s doing. He’s playing tennis and he wants to stay on the court and I know he is doing everything to take care of his body to stay healthy.

“I don’t know what is the problem if he doesn’t want to get vaccinated. That’s his choice and each person in this world has the opportunity to make a choice. This is like human rights. You cannot pursue him or pressure him to do this.”

Dijana (second from left) and the rest of her family have been critical of Australia’s handling of the situation. (Photo by Pedja MILOSAVLJEVIC / AFP)

This is the document that shows Djokovic tested positive on December 16. Photo: Supplied.

Djokovic family hammers Australia

Djokovic’s family has been outspoken in its support of the nine-time Australian Open winner, thanking fans and defending his right to be in Australia when they fronted reporters in Belgrade after his court hearing on Monday.

“Thank you to people all over the world, people have risen in defence of Novak, we have seen the footage in front of the detention centre,” Djokovic’s brother Djordje said.

“Novak is free, he practised on the courts. He went there to chase another title, with the best possible intent and all the documentation.

“Novak has been labelled many times, but all he stands for is freedom of choice. The justice has been done.

“Truth and justice came to the light. I would like to thank the justice system of Australia.”

Djokovic’s father Srdjan added: “Novak is a mental rock. He never offended anyone, he always tries to help, not the contrary.”

Srdjan had earlier launched a stinging attack on Australian Prime Minster Scott Morrison last week.

“They’re keeping him in captivity. They’re stomping all over Novak to stomp all over Serbia and Serbian people,” Srdjan said.

“Morrison and his like have dared attack Novak to bring Serbia to its knees. Serbia has always shown that he comes from a proud nation.

“This has nothing to do with sports, this is a political agenda. Novak is the best player and the best athlete in the world, but several hundred million people from the West can’t stomach that.

“You, famous Prime Minister of the faraway naturally beautiful country, are behaving according to your own principles, which have nothing to do with us and our principles.

“We are humans, and you, sir, are not.

“Jesus was crucified on the cross … but he is still alive among us. They are trying to crucify and belittle Novak and throw him to his knees.

“We are part of the freedom-loving world, more than seven billion of us cannot be the prisoners of these … the very name says it all about their Prime Minister, Scott Morrison (“Skot” is a derogatory word in Serbian).”