(CNN)Novak Djokovic’s participation in the Australian Open has provided a tumultuous backdrop for the tournament. The Serbian world No. 1 was arrested in Australia last week over a visa and vaccination row and released a detailed statement on his December 2020 moves on Tuesday.
On Sunday, the tennis star left the country after a decision to cancel his visa for the second time was confirmed.
Here is a timeline of all events.
November 2021
- 18.11
Djokovic is granted a temporary entry visa to Australia 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.
- 11/29
Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt is reportedly writing to Craig Tiley, Tournament Director of the Australian Open and CEO of Tennis Australia, that being infected with Covid-19 in just the last 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 2021
- December 7th
Tennis Australia is reportedly sending a letter to players stating that having been infected with Covid-19 in the past six months, together with a covering letter from a doctor, would qualify as a valid medical exemption; and noting players have until December 10 to submit their medical exemption requests, according to a leaked letter published in Australian local media.
- December 14th
Djokovic is attending a basketball game in Belgrade – after which it was reported that a number of people had tested positive for Covid-19 – according to a statement posted on Djokovic’s verified Instagram account on January 12, 2021.
- December 16th
Djokovic does a rapid antigen test – which is negative – and also does an official and approved PCR test “out of caution,” Djokovic said.
Djokovic’s PCR test result is positive, according to a copy of his test result in his affidavit later that day, but his January 12 statement says he only received the notification of a positive PCR test result after a tennis event on December 17 .
He is later photographed at two events, according to images posted on his foundation’s official social media, and none of the attendees are masked.
- December 17th
Djokovic is attending a tennis event in Belgrade to present awards to children, having previously taken a rapid antigen test which Djokovic said was negative.
The Facebook page of the Belgrade Tennis Association publishes various photos of Djokovic pictured together with a group of young people at a tennis awards ceremony. A photo shows at least 26 people – mostly young – posing with him. Social distancing measures will not be observed and masks will not be worn.
At some point after the event, Djokovic says he will receive the notification of a positive PCR test.
- December 18th
Djokovic is at his tennis center in Belgrade for a L’Equipe interview and photoshoot. His statement says he has been social distancing and wearing a mask except when his photo was taken.
Journalist Franck Ramella and photographer Etienne Garnier were not told that Djokovic was Covid-positive before, during or after the tennis star’s interview in Belgrade, the French sports daily reported on January 12.
The L’Equipe article states that Ramella has since tested negative for Covid-19. Garnier’s health is not mentioned.
- December 22
According to his affidavit, Djokovic tested negative for the virus.
• 23rd of December
Djokovic has antibodies to the coronavirus, a document released by the Institute of Public Health of Serbia, which supports the tennis player’s claim that he had recovered from Covid-19 when he arrived in Australia for the Australian Open, shows.
Djokovic has antibodies to the coronavirus, a document released by the Institute of Public Health of Serbia, which supports the tennis player’s claim that he had recovered from Covid-19 when he arrived in Australia for the Australian Open, shows.
CNN has contacted the Institute of Public Health of Serbia in Belgrade to ask if antibodies could come from a previous infection in June 2020.
- 30th of December
Djokovic is granted a medical exemption from Tennis Australia, allowing him to enter Australia without a Covid vaccination or quarantine as he has just recovered from Covid, according to court documents.
Ahead of the year, videos and images appear to show Djokovic in Spain and Serbia in the two weeks leading up to his trip to Australia. Djokovic had ticked ‘no’ in a travel statement when asked if he had traveled in the 14 days prior to his arrival in Australia, according to court documents obtained by CNN.
January 2022
- January 1st
Djokovic’s team submit his travel declaration to Australia’s Home Office, who tell them it has been assessed and the affidavit says he is cleared for quarantine-free arrival.
- January 2nd
Djokovic will receive a Border Travel Permit from the state government of Victoria where Melbourne is located and where the Australian Open will be held, according to his affidavit.
- January 5th
After leaving Spain the previous day, Djokovic arrives in Melbourne around midnight. His passport will be taken and he will be escorted to a small room where he will be questioned by border control officers, the affidavit said.
- 6th January
Djokovic’s visa will be canceled by the Australian government and he will be transferred to a temporary detention facility at the Park Hotel in Melbourne, according to the affidavit.
In a press conference, Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirms and reads out the letter sent by Health Minister Hunt to Tennis Australia on November 29, which states that a Covid 19 infection in the past six months alone does not meet the requirements for quarantine-free entry.
- 10. January
Djokovic’s hearing begins and the judge decides to overturn the annulment of his visa and order his release from custody. But the judge says Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke reserves the right to deport Djokovic.
- 11th January
The Australian Border Force (ABF) is investigating whether Djokovic made a false travel declaration before arriving in Australia.
- January 12
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 discrepancies 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 said Investigation with CNN.
- 13th January
While awaiting a decision on whether he can stay in Australia, Djokovic will face fellow Serbian player Miomir Kecmanovic in the first round of the Australian Open.
- January 14th
Australia’s Immigration Secretary revokes Djokovic’s visa ahead of Australian Open, saying ‘it was in the public interest’
- 15. January
Djokovic is being arrested by Australian authorities ahead of a court hearing on his case of staying in the country.
- January 16
The Serb loses his appeal in court and is deported from Australia. He says he is “extremely disappointed” and is flying to Dubai.
A previous version of this timeline incorrectly gave the number of known events Djokovic attended on December 16th.
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