Bernard Tomic has made the wild mid-match claim that he will soon test positive for COVID-19 – while criticising the testing protocols in place for the Australian Open qualifiers.
Tomic lost his qualifier 6-1 6-4 to Russia’s Roman Safiullin at Melbourne’s Kia Arena today.
A frustrated Tomic vented to the chair umpire in between games in the second set.
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“I’m sure, in the next two days, I will test positive,” the 29-year-old Australian said.
“I’m telling you, I’m telling you. I will buy you dinner if I don’t test positive in three days.
“Otherwise you buy me dinner. I cannot believe nobody is getting tested.
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“They are allowing players to come on the court with rapid tests in their room. No official PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing, unbelievable.”
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However, a Tennis Australia spokesperson disputed Tomic’s claims, telling Wide World of Sports that every player was PCR tested before the tournament started – and required a negative result to compete.
The spokesperson also said players received daily rapid antigen tests.
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