Serbia’s state prosecutors have rejected suggestions that Novak Djokovic used a fake positive test for Covid-19 to try to enter Australia and compete in the Australian Open.

The prosecution office on Wednesday said in a statement that it had received a request for criminal proceedings against unnamed individuals who allegedly forged two PCR certificates, which were later used by Djokovic to apply for a medical exemption from vaccination when entering Australia.

“The prosecution acted according to the regulations, checks were performed, and it was determined that Novak Djokovic was tested several times and that the certificates on the test results from December 16, 2021 and December 22, 2021 are valid,” the statement said.

Foreign media, including Der Spiegel and the BBC, have reported discrepancies in the serial numbers of the tests Serbian authorities administered to Djokovic ahead of his trip to Australia, suggesting possible irregularities in the way they were issued.

President’s praise

Serbia’s president on Thursday praised tennis star Novak Djokovic’s “great fight” over his bid to play at the Australian Open. An Australian federal court last month decided to cancel the world No. 1’s visa after days of wrangling over the country’s Covid-19 entry rules, forcing him to miss the grand slam and return to Serbia.

“Thank you for the great fight you fought in Australia,” Aleksandar Vucic told Djokovic during a meeting in Belgrade.

Vucic, a populist who is bidding for re-election in April, said he spoke with Djokovic as soon as he heard about the problems in Australia and told him to come home.

“And then I saw how ... he was ready to fight not only for himself, but for his country,” Vucic said. Djokovic, who previously refused to speak about the events in Australia, told Vucic he was grateful for the support, adding he that he will address the public within seven to 10 days.

“You have stood behind me and placed yourself in a compromised political position in international relations, and I am ... extremely grateful. I will remember that,” Djokovic said.

Djokovic’s treatment has been described as “scandalous” by the government in Belgrade.

Federer’s return

Roger Federer said he will know by April or May whether he can return to action following a third knee surgery that forced him to miss the second half of last season.

“Until now I wasn’t really allowed to do the heavy workload with jumps ... so I hope that that’s all going to start in a couple of weeks and then we’ll see how the body will react to that,” Federer said.