Russian tennis star Andrey Rublev says he entered Australia despite being positive for Covid
Andrey Rublev has said he flew to Australia despite being positive for Covid, amid the fallout that eventually saw world number one Novak Djokovic deported and unable to defend his Australian Open crown.
World number six Rublev, who contracted Covid in December, was speaking to Eurosport as the Russian booked his spot in the third round in Melbourne with a straight sets win over Lithuania’s Ricardas Berankis on Thursday.
“I personally do not test now, since I just got sick,” Rublev answered when asked how often testing occurs at the tournament, which saw a positive case for Ugo Humbert on Wednesday.
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“When I flew to Australia, I was still positive, but the level of Covid SS [severity score] – as it is called, I will not lie – was very low and harmless, and I was allowed in. Plus, I spent more than 10 days in quarantine,” explained Rublev, who is fully vaccinated.
“Upon arrival, I had to take an antigen test, I passed it, it was negative, and I did not do a PCR test.
“Perhaps it would still show positive. But I’m no longer contagious and dangerous. Since I was ill, I no longer do a PCR test,” the 24-year-old confirmed.
