(CNN)Bernard Tomic says he was told by Australian Open doctors to isolate after the tennis star fell out of qualifying for the first Grand Slam of the season.
The 260th-ranked Australian’s hopes of competing in his home Grand Slam were dashed in less than an hour after a 6-4 loss to world No. 146 Roman Safiullin at Melbourne Park.
After a 23-minute loss in the first set, the Australian was 2-1 down at the change in the second set when he told Brazilian referee Aline Da Rocha Nocinto he would test positive for Covid-19 within 48 hours, and criticized this examination regulation of the tournament.
“I’m sure I’ll test positive in the next two days, I’m telling you that,” said Tomic.
“I’ll take you to dinner if I don’t test positive in three days, otherwise you’ll buy me dinner.
“I can’t believe nobody is getting tested. They allow players to come onto the pitch with quick tests in their room…no official PCR tests.”
CNN has reached out to the Australian Open for comment.
Tomic, an amazing youngster, was victorious at the Australian Open juniors in 2008 before finishing 17th in his career eight years later, but since then his rank has progressed and the 29-year-old was decisively beaten by Safiullin.
At the end of the match, Tomic smashed his fists with both Safiullin and Da Rocha Nocinto before leaving the court.
“I feel really sick”
Tomic updated his Instagram followers from his hotel room and said he was “feeling really sick”.
“I’m feeling really sick and I’m back in my hotel room now,” said Tomic.
“I have just spoken to the local doctors and they have asked me to isolate myself. They haven’t been able to treat me yet to avoid contact.
“Thank you for all the support on the pitch today. I really appreciate that! I’ll do better next time. Very disappointed as I really wanted to make the Aussies proud and perform well on my home turf. I’ll keep you posted.”
Tomic’s comments on the Australian Open’s Covid protocols come amid the ongoing saga of world No. 1 Novak Djokovic’s participation in the tournament.
The Serb was listed as No. 1 for the tournament after a judge on Monday overturned the Australian government’s decision to annul Djokovic’s visa and ordered his release from a temporary immigration detention center in Melbourne.
The unvaccinated 34-year-old could still face deportation as Australia’s Immigration Secretary considers intervening to remove the tennis player from the country.
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