Italian Camila Giorgi has strongly denied allegations she used a fake vaccine certificate to play at last year’s Australian Open.
Giorgi powered into the second round at Melbourne Park with a crushing 6-0 6-1 win against former world No.11 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova on Tuesday.
But the world No.66 was asked just one question about her clinical performance, with attention firmly focused on a controversy back home.
Giorgi played in her 10th-straight Australian Open last year when proof of Covid-19 vaccination was a requirement for entry into the country.
Nine-time champion Novak Djokovic was infamously deported from Australia ahead of the 2022 tournament after refusing to be vaccinated.
But Giorgi believed she had satisfied all requirements to enter Australia last year.
Giorgi played in her 10th-straight Australian Open last year when proof of Covid-19 vaccination was a requirement for entry into the country.
Nine-time champion Novak Djokovic was infamously deported from Australia ahead of the 2022 tournament after refusing to be vaccinated.
But Giorgi believed she had satisfied all requirements to enter Australia last year.
It was the first time the 31-year-old had addressed the allegations since the story surfaced via Italian media last week.
‘I did everything what they ask, the Australian government,’ Giorgi told reporters on Tuesday.
‘Each year we are fine with that.
‘Of course. I did all vaccination, yes.’
Giorgi said she received one vaccination with Grillone and completed the rest of her requirements with other medical practitioners.
‘The doctor has been investigate [sic], and she had troubles in this year with the law a few times,’ Giorgi said.
‘I just did all my vaccination in different places.
‘So the trouble is hers. Not me. So with that, I’m very calm.