Italian tennis star Camila Giorgi is under investigation for allegedly using a fake Covid vaccination certificate to enter Australia in 2022 as she prepares to take part in the Open this month.
Giorgi's family doctor Daniela Grillone was arrested in February and charged with administering hundreds of fake serums and paperwork to high-profile Italians.
In December, Italian newspaper a Repubblica revealed that Giorgi, 31, was being investigated by police for allegedly using a fake certificate - and now the under-fire doctor has alleged that the tennis star wasn't vaccinated.
'The Giorgi family has been under treatment with me for a long time,' she told Italian daily Corriere del Veneto.
'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.
'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, who is ranked 66th in the world, played in the Australian Open last year and reached the third round, eventually losing in straight sets to Aussie Ash Barty.
The Italian also played in three tournaments in the United States - a country where proof of vaccination is a entry requirement.
Former world No 1 Novak Djokovic made headlines around the world after he was deported from Australia after arriving in the country without being vaccinated against COVID-19.
Djokovic’s principles about not taking the Covid jab have involved considerable damage for his own ambitions, as his refusal to meet entry conditions deprived him of two chances to win Grand Slam titles last year.
In November, the Australian government granted the Serbian a visa to travel to the Grand Slam event, saying it had decided to revoke the decision to cancel Djokovic's visa after considering all relevant factors.
Giorgi is back in Australia and made her debut at the Adelaide International on Saturday, losing in the qualifiers.
She is preparing to compete next at the Australian Open starting in Melbourne on January 16.
