Italian tennis player Camila Giorgi denies allegations that he used falsified COVID-19 vaccine documents last year, stating that he only received one dose of the vaccine from a doctor who is now under investigation by authorities for providing false certificates and false vaccinations.
Giorgi, 31, answered several questions about the allegations during a press conference following her victory over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the first round of the australian open on Tuesday.
Camila Giorgi in action during the women’s singles second round match at Louis Armstrong Stadium during the US Open on August 31, 2022, in New York City.
(Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
«The doctor is being investigated, she had problems with this [past] year with the law, a few times,» Giorgi said. «I did all my vaccinations in different places, so the problem is hers, not me.»
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She continued: «And with that I’m very calm and of course, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to come here and play this tennis.»
Australia no longer requires travelers entering the country to present proof of vaccination, but they did so during last year’s Grand Slam, a situation it saw 21 times. Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic deported from the country due to your vaccination status and the specific visa you used to enter Australia.
Camila Giorgi shakes hands with Ashleigh Barty after their match at the Australian Open in Melbourne on January 21, 2022.
(Bai Xuefei/Xinhua via Getty Images)
Giorgi competed last year, advancing as far as the third round before losing to eventual champion Ash Barty.
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He was asked repeatedly during Tuesday’s news conference if he ever lied on any documents or used false documents to get into Australia for last year’s tournament. Giorgi was adamant that he complied with the protocol in order to compete, adding that he received other doses of the vaccine from other doctors.
According to Reuters, Dr. Daniela Grillone was indicted last year and is now being investigated by Italian authorities for supplying false certificates and false vaccinations. Giorgi was one of the names implicated by the Italian media.
«There are more than 300 people who are [names she supplied,]», Giorgi said on Tuesday. He also denied the accusation that he sought out Grillone specifically for a document that falsified his vaccination.
Camila Giorgi reacts after her loss to Madison Keys at the US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2022 in New York City.
(Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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Ahead of the tournament, Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley said he was not fully aware of the fake certificate claims.
«I think there is still a lot to find out about that and I think it will ultimately depend on his family and the relevant authorities, including the tour,» he said. «I really don’t know any more details.»
Associated Press contributed to this report.