Australian Open 2023: Italy’s Camila Giorgi denies faking Covid vaccination certificate
An Italian doctor named Giorgi among people who had sought fake documentation from her
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Italian player Camila Giorgi has denied obtaining a false Covid-19 vaccination certificate in order to compete in tournaments.
Italian media reported last month that a doctor, Daniela Grillone, had named Giorgi as one of the people who came to her seeking fake documentation.
Speaking for the first time about the allegations following a 6-0 6-1 victory over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the opening round of the Australian Open, Giorgi insisted she had done nothing wrong.
“The doctor has been investigated and she had troubles this year with the law a few times,” said the 31-year-old, who is ranked 70th.
“I did all my vaccination in different places. So the trouble is hers. Not me. So with that, I’m very calm.
“She (said) my name, of course, but there is more than 300 people who she give the names.”
Several countries on the tennis circuit required players to be vaccinated to enter in 2021 and 2022, including Australia and the USA.
Giorgi admitted one of her vaccinations had been administered by Grillone and that she had used paperwork given by the doctor.
But she denied deliberately seeking out false documents, saying: “No, not at all.”
Giorgi, who reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals in 2018, appeared not to understand when asked if she had attempted to check on the veracity of her vaccination or received an extra dose.