Andrey Rublev has claimed he was allowed to enter Australia despite testing positive for Covid-19, so he could quarantine ahead of the Australian Open.
The Russian's Grand Slam plans looked uncertain after he caught the virus just a few days before he was due to travel Down Under.
But the tennis star headed to Melbourne anyway and, even though he was still Covid positive when he arrived, he was allowed in and no longer needs to be tested.
Rublev has since won his first two matches and is due to meet former US Open champion and Melbourne finalist Marin Cilic in the third round.
Speaking after his victory over Ricardas Beraknis on Thursday, he told Russian outlet Sportklub : "I am not being tested personally now because I just got over the coronavirus.
"When I flew to Australia, I was still positive, but the level of Covid SS, as it is called, I will not lie, it was very low and not dangerous.
"I was allowed to enter the country. In addition, I spent more than ten days in quarantine."
His claims come less than a week after world number one Novak Djokovic was deported from the country over a visa issue.
It brought an end to a saga which had rumbled on for 11 days, from when he was stopped at the airport in Melbourne and had his visa cancelled.
His legal team successfully challenged his deportation the first time around, but were faced with another court date after immigration minister Alex Hawke stepped in to cancel his visa anyway.
Djokovic's lawyers could not get that decision overturned on appeal, and he was put on a plane to be taken back to Serbia the day before the tournament began.
It means the current world number one will miss out on the chance to win a record 21st Grand Slam title this month, and might be forced to miss more tournaments in the coming months.
The unvaccinated Serb may not be able to play at Roland Garros, after French authorities said sports stars would need to be jabbed to compete in the country.
There are currently similar rules in place across the Atlantic, though things may change on that front before the US Open begins at the end of August.
it is currently believed that he will be able to play at Wimbledon, though organisers have yet to specify what Covid protocols will be in place in SW19.
