Russian tennis player Andrei Rublev says he was allowed to enter Australia without so much as a fuss earlier this month, despite the fact he had Covid at the time.
It comes just days after World No 1 Novak Djokovic was deported from the country following an ugly two-week row over his vaccination status.
The Serbian was initially granted a medical exemption due to the fact he contracted, and recovered from, Covid in December, but Australian Border Force detained him on arrival in Melbourne after rejecting his visa.
It was reinstated on appeal, but a Federal Court later ruled in favour of Australian authorities, ordering Djokovic to leave the country and banning him for three years.
Rublev on the other hand had no trouble at the border, despite testing positive for Covid just before his arrival.
Rublev says he was allowed into Australia while he had Covid (Image: Getty Images)
The 24-year-old, who is set to face Marin Cilic in the third round of the Australian Open on Saturday, claims he was let in without any commotion and is no longer being tested for the virus.
“I am not being tested personally now because I just got over the coronavirus,” Rublev told Sport Klub.
“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 ten days in quarantine.”
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Novak Djokovic arrives in Dubai after getting deported from Australia (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
It's understood that Djokovic is considering suing the Australian government for around £3.2 million for 'ill treatment'.
Critics says the Serb was unjustly made an example of in a bid to quell anti-vax sentiment, which had intensified around the country during the two-week ordeal.
Though authorities maintain that the star's presence in Australia was a risk to the health and “good order” of the Australian people, as it was scuppering their vaccination drive.