Tennis news 2023: Italian star Camila Giorgi allegedly obtained fake Covid vaccine certificate

Just 12 months after Novak Djokovic was deported from Australia over his Covid vaccination stance, a leading Italian tennis player is under investigation for allegedly using a fake certificate.

Italian tennis star Camila Giorgi is under investigation amid allegations she has been using a fake Covid vaccination certificate for the past year to continue to play on the WTA tour and travel the world — including last year’s Australian Open.

Just 12 months after Novak Djokovic was deported from Australia for entering the country without being vaccinated or with a valid exemption, it can be revealed Giorgi allegedly entered the country in 2022 with false documents to play in the Australian Open in Melbourne.

Italy's Camila Giorgi could be in hot water over allegations that she competed in the 2022 Australian Open using false documents.

Giorgi’s personal doctor Daniela Grillone, who was charged by Italian police in Vicenza last February for vaccinating hundreds of people with fake serums, has alleged the world No. 66 was never vaccinated after seeking a fake certificate from her for Covid.

Italian newspaper la Repubblica broke the news two weeks ago that Giorgi was being investigated by Italian police for using a fake certificate and now Dr Grillone has confirmed in an interview with a local newspaper that the 31-year-old was never given the vaccine.

Dr Grillone, 57, has co-operated with investigators revealing her Veneto surgery at times had queues of people waiting for fake vaccinations as word spread about the scam.

Hundreds of doctors, nurses, police and entrepreneurs have been caught up in the scandal, including singer Madame, but one name the doctor remembers above all others is the tennis player who was an existing patient.

“The Giorgi family has been under treatment with me for a long time. Camila Giorgi suffered from the so-called tennis elbow. Shortly before the beginning of summer, she had come asking for the possibility of obtaining false attestations of all the mandatory vaccines, as well as the Covid vaccine,” Grillone told Italian daily Corriere del Veneto.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic was deported from Australia last year when he entered the country without being vaccinated or with a valid exemption.

“I can confirm with absolute certainty that none of the vaccines against the Giorgi family have actually been administered. I have not received any payment in that case.

“I am deeply upset and sorry for my action.”

Giorgi reached the third round of the Australian Open last year, pocketing $221,000, before losing in straight sets to Australia’s eventual champion and world No. 1 Ash Barty.

The United States is the other country where vaccination is a mandatory requirement for entry, with Giorgi competing in three tournaments in America including the US Open where she was knocked out in the second round by Madison Keys.

The Italian is currently in Australia, but lost her qualifying match for the Adelaide International on Saturday and refused an interview request with News Corp made via the WTA.

She is entered to compete at the Australian Open starting in Melbourne next Monday.

The WTA is aware of the allegations and monitoring the investigation by Italian police.

“We are aware of the allegations and are currently monitoring the situation and any investigations that may be brought forward,” said a WTA spokesperson.

Italy's Camila Giorgi hits a return against Ashleigh Barty before bowing out in straight sets at the Australian Open.

The Department of Home Affairs was contacted for comment, after last year’s fiasco when the Djokovic was detained and deported after his arrival to Melbourne due to his invalid exemption.

The Department of Home Affairs confirmed COVID-19-related Australian border restrictions under the Biosecurity Act 2015 have been removed, including the requirement to provide evidence of COVID-19 vaccination status to enter Australia. However, proof of providing false documents could see a person have their visa application denied or cancelled - as mentioned on their website.

“We might refuse your visa application for failing to satisfy Public Interest Criterion (PIC) 4020 if you, or any of the members of your family unit … provided bogus documents or information that is false and misleading in relation to a visa that you held in the 12 months before making your current application.”