Bernard Tomic has tested positive to COVID-19 after claiming he would test positive to the virus during an Australian Open qualifying match.
The 29-year-old told the Herald and The Age on Thursday about his positive test and is currently in isolation.
There is potential that tournament officials will test all players and staff who have come into contact with Tomic in recent days.
“I still feel pretty sick,” Tomic told the Herald and The Age.
“I feel worse mentally than physically because I really was motivated to make a comeback and show the Australian public that I can be the tennis player they expect me to be.
"I’m disappointed this virus stopped me from doing that.
“I know it might not seem like it but this is the start of my return.
"Due to the illness, I just couldn’t fire on all cylinders.
"As much as I tried, I didn’t have the energy to fight.
"I’m going to do everything it takes to get back to the top.
"I really appreciate everyone’s support.”
The controversial Australian tennis player made the remark on Tuesday during the change of ends in his match against Roman Safiullin with Tomic trailing 1-6 1-2 in the contest.
In vision broadcast via stream, Tomic told the umpire he will be COVID-19 positive in the coming days and offered to place a wager with the official on his health.
Tomic then went on to criticise the Australian Open's COVID-19 testing policy, which sees competitors and officials use the rapid antigen tests to check if they have the virus instead of the PCR tests.
Video: Absolutely insane pic.twitter.com/77AzJ2BqQE
— PCB Enthusiast (@PCBFan1) January 11, 2022
'I'm sure in the next two days I will test positive, I'm telling you," Tomic said to the chair-umpire.
"I will buy you (the chair-umpire) dinner if I don't test positive in three days, otherwise you buy me dinner.
"I cannot believe no one is being tested. They are allowing players to come on to court with rapid tests in their room - come on.
"No official PCR testing."
Convinced he's symptomatic with Covid, Bernard Tomic loses 6-1, 6-4 in 56 minutes to Roman Safiullin.
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 11, 2022
Safiullin proactively offered a fistbump; Tomic accepted.
And yes, #AusOpen protocols would certainly not encourage a player to come on site with symptoms during a pandemic.
Tomic went on to lose the match against Russian player Safiullin 6-1 6-4 in 57 minutes - ending his hopes of qualifying for the Australian Open main draw.
He later posted an update to Instagram saying he was feeling "really sick" and was asked to isolate.
"Feeling really sick, I'm now back in my hotel room," Tomic wrote in a post.
"Just spoke to the doctors on site and they've asked me to isolate, they couldn't treat me yet to avoid contact.
"Thank you for all the support on the court today. I really appreciate it! I'll do better next time.
"Very disappointed as I really wanted to make Aussies proud and perform well on my home turf."
