In a shocking turn of events, Italian tennis star Camila Giorgi could be deported from Australia ahead of the Australian Open 2023 over claims that she faked a COVID-19 vaccination certificate last year. The Italian Police have already started investigating Giorgi after her family doctor Daniela Grillone alleged that, in reality, the tennis player had never been vaccinated against the infection.
While Giorgi is undergoing police investigating, the law enforcement officers have already charged Grillone for faking vaccination documents for her patients. With this reports emerging, it is only understandable that questions are being raised over her participation in Australian Open 2022- a country which had not allowed its then defending champion Novak Djokovic to enter because of his unvaccinated status against coronavirus.
Djokovic, was in fact, deported and banned to visit the country for 3 years- a penalty which was revoked in December last year. If allegations against Giorgi turn out to be true, then the 31-year-old also face a likely or even harsher punishment.
Australian Open 2023 all set to commence on January 16
Australian Open 2023 is all set to commence on January 16 this year. The tournament will culminate on January 29. While the Men’s Singles Final is scheduled on January 29, the women’s singles final is slated to be played on January 28.
Rafael Nadal will look to defend his men’s singles crown at the Australian Open 2023. He will, however, be rivalled by Djokovic who missed out last year owing to his unvaccinated status against COVID-19. The women’s singles was won by local Ashleigh Barty. However, the tournament will see a different champion as Barty announced her shocking retirement from the sport last year.
This will the 111th edition of the tournament. However, several tennis stars like Venus Williams, Naomi Osaka and Carlos Alcaraz won’t feature in the first Grand Slam of the year.