Tomic raising glasses and eyebrows before COVID diagnosis

It seems Bernard Tomic’s brief stint at a healthy lifestyle went out the window the moment he lost at the Australian Open qualifiers on Tuesday. Ranked 257th in the world, it was a short game of tennis losing to Russian Roman Safiullin after dropping the opening set in just 23 minutes.

True to form, the sore loser entered into a colourful exchange with the chair umpire about COVID, claiming to vehemently protest his suspicions that he had the virus. Despite those suspicions, Tomic managed to kick up his heels at Melbourne’s Electric bar in Prahran on Tuesday night. Emerald City was told the newly bleached-hair athlete was indulging in a beverage favoured by high schoolers, knocking back “Wet Pussy” shots at the Chapel Street bar.

Bernard Tomic courtside with Gold Coast influencer Keely Hannah.Credit: Mark Peterson

“He was in the front row wearing a cap and mask doing a bad job at looking anonymous.”

A passenger who spied Bernard Tomic on a flight to the Gold Coast

At one point, Tomic was spied holding court at the main bar, packing on the PDA with his Gold Coast influencer girlfriend Keely Hannah; the pair leaving the venue at closing time. Just last month, Tomic claimed to have given up the booze, adopted a vegan diet and put dating on hold in his bid to reach the top of his game.

Nursing a sore head on Thursday, Tomic managed to catch the 10.10am Virgin flight from Melbourne to the Gold Coast where a passenger says he was seated at the pointy end of the plane.

“He was in the front row wearing a cap and mask doing a bad job at looking anonymous,” a passenger said.

Despite Queensland requirements to provide a negative antigen test upon entry, passengers were not checked by Queensland Health.

A spokesperson for Tomic confirmed his client tested positive later that afternoon. “He is in isolation and doing well considering, it [COVID-19 symptoms] seems to come in waves.”

Despite Tomic’s recent career slump, he is still targeting a Wimbledon triumph. “I can win Wimbledon,” Tomic told Channel 9’s A Current Affair. “We all know this, I know this – I’m probably a top 10 player in the world on grass. I will do it. Before I retire, I will do it, that’s for sure.”

Sydney glamour couple end marriage despite expanding their business

Celebrity fitness trainer Jono Castano and his glamorous wife and business partner Amy have quietly called it quits on their three-year marriage. The Sydney glamour couple who opened Asero gym in Kensington in 2020 is understood to have amicably split late last year, however remain friends and continue to operate their fitness empire together.

Jono Castano, Rita Ora and Amy Castano pictured in 2021.Credit:

The pair, who met on Myspace during high school, are understood to have grown apart and felt their relationship was better off as best friends and business partners.

Rebel Wilson with her personal trainer Jono Castano at Soma Collection before opening Acero Gym.Credit: Instagram

Jono has spent much of his time in recent months tapping into the US celebrity market where he has trained Sir Richard Branson, Rita Ora, and is credited with transforming Rebel Wilson’s body and fitness. Local celebrities ex-cricketer Michael Clarke, former ironwoman Candice Warner and model Pia Whitesell (nee Miller) have been longtime clients of Jono’s.

Emerald City can reveal the Chilean-born personal trainer may be expanding his fitness empire where he hopes to train international clients in the US in 2022.

Amy has also spent time abroad: despite reports of raising eyebrows in Dubai with scantily-clad outfits, the gym owner was, in fact, scouting gym locations in the millionaire’s playground.

Celebrities slam refugee detention as Djoker checks out

The detention of Serbian tennis pro Novak Djokovic has cast a spotlight on the plight of dozens of refugees and asylum seekers held in detention hotels in Melbourne.

Many of the refugees have been held in the hotel for almost three years after being indefinitely denied visas to Australia because they arrived by boat.

Police outside Melbourne’s Park Hotel.Credit: Hamish Blair

Since Djokovic’s incarceration and subsequent release last week, several of those refugees have called on the world No.1 to use his celebrity to advocate for their freedom.

Days after taking out a Golden Globe Award for best-supporting actress for her role in HBO’s drama Succession, which also won Best Drama series, Australian actress Sarah Snook used her voice to shine a light on the asylum seeker situation in Australia. Posting to Instagram last week, the Adelaide-raised actress highlighted the inhumane conditions of those locked in detention to a series of Instagram stories.

Never one to shy away from political issues, RockWiz host Julia Zemiro has been outspoken on Twitter about the treatment of people seeking refuge in Australia.

Survivor and outspoken advocate for survivors of sexual assault Grace Tame also joined the conversation, resharing tweets on the treatment of asylum seekers.

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