Russian star got into Australia with COVID-19

Russian world No.6 Andrey Rublev has made the extraordinary revelation that he was granted entry into Australia for the first major of the year while infected by COVID-19.

Rublev’s Australian Open participation was thrown into doubt when he tested positive on December 27, but almost a month later he’s progressed to a third-round match against 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic.

“I am not being tested personally now because I just got over the coronavirus,” Rublev told European sports channel Sport Klub.

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“When I flew to Australia I was still positive, but the level of COVID ‘SS’, as it is called – I will not lie, it was very low and not dangerous.

“I was allowed to enter the country.

“In addition, I spent more than 10 days in quarantine.”

The admission comes several days after unvaccinated world No.1 Novak Djokovic was deported from Australia following a federal court’s decision to uphold his cancelled visa.

That cut the Serbian from the Australian Open and ruined his pursuit of a record 21 singles grand slam titles.

Frenchman Ugo Humbert revealed that he had tested positive to COVID-19 after his first-round defeat at the Melbourne Park event.

The 23-year-old said he would spend a week in isolation before departing Australia.

Richard Gasquet competed in his second-round clash despite Humbert’s positive test, but he was eliminated in a match against Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp.

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