Bernard Tomic will not play the Australian Open. The Australian fell 6-1, 6-4 on Tuesday in the first round of the qualifying round of the tournament against the Russian Roman Safiullin in a duel marked by his surreal conversation with the chair umpire, whom he said would test positive for covid in a few days.
In the second set, Tomic was very upset with Aline Da Rocha Nocinto, before criticizing the COVID-19 testing protocols ahead of the Grand Slam on January 17-30.
“I am sure that in the next two days I will test positive, I assure you. I invite you to dinner if I do not test positive in three days. If not, you invite me to dinner“he told the judge.
“I can’t believe no one gets tested. They are allowing players to enter the court with rapid tests in their room … come on. No official PCR tests“he continued.
The controversial tennis player did not attend the media after the game after being isolated as a precaution.
“I feel very bad, now I am back in my hotel room. I just spoke with the local doctors and they asked me to isolate myself. They haven’t been able to treat me yet to avoid contact“Tomic said in a statement on social media.
