Italian tennis player Camila Giorgi has denied suggestions she sought a fake COVID-19 vaccination certificate to contest last year’s WTA season.
Earlier this month, allegations were made that Giorgi was not vaccinated for the coronavirus, a requirement for entry at many tournaments over the last two years.
Her doctor, Daniela Grillone, was arrested and charged by police in February last year for administering fake vaccinations at her clinic in Veneto.
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In an interview with Italian outlet Corriere del Veneto, prior to the Australian Open, Grillone alleged Giorgi wasn’t immunised and sought fraudulent documentation for the COVID-19 vaccine and other mandatory vaccinations.
“I can confirm with absolute certainty that none of the vaccines against the Giorgi family has actually been administered,” said Grillone.
“I have not received any payment in that case.”
However, speaking at the Australian Open on Tuesday, Giorgi strenuously denied the allegations, saying she had indeed complied with vaccination requirements.
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“I just did all my vaccination in different places. So the trouble is hers, not me,” Giorgi said of Grillone.
“So with that, I’m very calm. Of course, if not, I couldn’t come here and play this tennis, I think.”
Giorgi said she received her first vaccination from Grillone and a subsequent COVID-19 vaccine from another doctor.
“The other vaccination, I did it in different kind of places,” she explained.
“It’s what I’m saying, I did just once vaccination with her, and the other ones I did with other doctors.
“So I’m fine, and she the one… she’s in trouble with the law in Italy. So after it’s she’s going to see.”
When asked whether she had proactively sought a fake vaccination certificate, Giorgi replied, “No, not at all.
“Because I did vaccination with different places, and this need to be very clear because it’s a big thing they say all around, and it’s not my problem. It’s her (the doctor’s) problem.”
Giorgi said she wasn’t aware of her doctor’s background nor the arrest and subsequent charges.
“I didn’t knew that,” said Giorgi.
“She have these problems. Me, I figure out before come here. She put on my name, of course, but there is more than 300 people who she give the names.”
Giorgi offered a cryptic answer when quizzed about the specifics of her first vaccination and whether it was real.
“I did all vaccination, yes,” she said.
Asked repeatedly whether it was for COVID-19, she replied, “I did the vaccination. Thank you” and “What do you mean? The vaccination is vaccination.
“I already answered the question about the vaccine, and it’s fine.
“It’s a vaccination. If you read the things, there is one vaccine.”
Giorgi is set to face Anna Karolína Schmiedlova on Wednesday in their second-round match.
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