Camila Giorgi has angrily denied allegations that she used a false Covid vaccination certificate to enter the 2022 Australian Open.
Giorgi, 31, was in action in this year's tournament at Albert Park on Tuesday, and had few problems on the court as she brushed aside Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-0 6-1. But the Italian was then forced into a volatile defence off it, with her post-match press conference dominated by a non-playing matter.
In December, Italian publication La Repubblica named Giorgi as being investigated by police for using a false Covid vaccination certificate. Daniela Grillone, the doctor for the family of the 31-year-old, was arrested in February last year and has since been charged for administering fake serums and paperwork to high-profile Italians.
And in an explosive development, Grillone alleged via the Italian press recently that Giorgi, a 2018 Wimbledon quarter finalist, never received the jab. And in her first media address since those allegations surfaces, the player was bullish about her innocence.
"I did everything what they ask, the Australian government," she defiantly told reporters. "Each year we are fine with that. Of course. I did all vaccination, yes."
Addressing Grillone's claims, she said: "The doctor has been investigated, and she had troubles in this year with the law a few times. I just did all my vaccination in different places. So the trouble is hers. Not me. So with that, I'm very calm. Of course, if not, I couldn't come here and play this tennis."
The world No 66 didn't attend the press conference alone though. She was flanked by father Sergio, who became irate at the line of enquiries and told reporters to ask about Giorgi's actual match, ranting he "did not like your questions."
She also played in three tournaments in America last year, where it was mandatory for visitors to the country to be vaccinated. The Department of Home Affairs in Australia have declined to confirm whether officials were investigating Giorgi's situation, while Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley has also remained tight-lipped.
Giorgi has reached the third round on four occasions down under, including in 2022, where she lost to top seed and eventual champion Ash Barty. Her bid to make the same stage this time around continues on Thursday against Slovakian qualifier Anna Karolina Schmiedlova.
