Victoria Azarenka news: Belarusian calls for vaccine mandate, saying its about helping vulnerable people

Victoria Azarenka has weighed in on the Covid-19 vaccination topic that has the world talking, saying it should be mandatory for all players to be vaccinated.
The subject was fuelled by the deportation of the world No 1 Novak Djokovic from the Australian Open after he lost an appeal to stay in the county.
The dramatic saga caused an international uproar, leading to opinions of the tennis playing community.
Former world No 1 Azarenka reached the third round of the Australian Open with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Jil Teichmann on Wednesday and after the match she explained she believes in science and feels it should be mandatory for the players to be vaccinated.
“From my standpoint it’s been very clear. I believe in science. I believe in getting vaccinated. That’s what I did for myself. However, we are playing a global sport, we still have to respect countries, different countries, different mandates, different legalities of the country,” said the Belarusian.
“I believe that spending a lot of extra money over this last almost two years now on all the testing, that is a big budget. I don’t necessarily will say that getting vaccinated, then nobody will be sick, but I think it is a step to hopefully battle against this coronavirus, hopefully bring it down globally. But to make it as a mandate, there is much more to it.
“If you ask me just for my opinion if that should be the case, I think it would just be helpful for everybody in the world, especially when we are traveling internationally.”
The Belarusian, who won the Australian Open title in 2012 and 2013, believes there is a social responsibility for other people who are much more vulnerable than the players that need to be protected by getting vaccinated.
Pow, pow 💥@vika7 and @paulabadosa make quick work of their Round 2 matches! Securing their wins almost simultaneously. #AO2022 pic.twitter.com/zAw90bida7
— wta (@WTA) January 19, 2022
“In our case I think this is what has been recommended, and that’s what I believe is the right thing to do. I think from a social standpoint it’s been very clear that the WTA is supporting the vaccines and recommending it. Again, it goes beyond mandating for a legal part. Encouragement has always been from the WTA side, from tennis side I think in general,” she added.
“On a social aspect, personally for me it’s not necessarily maybe about myself, it’s about other people. Like my parents for example, are at high risk for Covid.
“I had Covid in November of this year. Unfortunately my parents also got it. It was tough for my dad. Thankfully he was vaccinated because I honestly don’t know what could have happened otherwise. For me there is a social responsibility for other people who are much more vulnerable than us. I definitely look at it from that point, as well.”
Latest
-
Tennis News
Tennis chief reveals how he brought Emma Raducanu back to Aukland for comeback event
Tournament director Nicolas Lamperin revealed how he brough Raducanu back to New Zealand.
-
Tennis News
Realistic targets for Rafael Nadal and Emma Raducanu as new comeback footage is released
The tennis world is holding its breath…
-
Olympics
Olympics clear Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in Paris as neutrals
Russian and Belarusian athletes will get their shot at gold at Paris 2024.
-
WTA Tour
Naomi Osaka wants to further her tennis education and win more Grand Slams
Naomi Osaka believes that she has a lot to learn about the game.
-
Tennis News
ITF’s ‘Class of 2023’ revealed as the five most promising junior players in the world are identified
Away from the spotlight at the top of the sport, this has been a stand-out year for junior players thriving on the ITF’s World Tennis Tour.
-
News
Iga Swiatek: Biography, Lifestyle, Lovelife, Net Worth, Career, Endorsements
Find out more about Iga Swiatek.
-
ATP Tour
The 20 countries with the most ATP titles in 2023: Novak Djokovic’s Serbia 1st, United States 5th
A look at the different countries to win ATP Tour singles titles in 2023.
-
Tennis News
Huge slide for fallen world No 1 in UTR rankings as Iga Swiatek leads the way
The final UTR rankings for 2023 show Poland’s Swiatek as the outstanding No 1.
-
WTA Tour
Emma Raducanu could face a huge name in her first match back on the WTA Tour
Emma Raducanu is preparing to make her comeback and the the entry list has been released for her return in Aukland.
-
Tennis News
Nick Kyrgios reveals Ben Shelton dream – ‘Serve is a rocket, reminds me of…’
“I had a dream last night that Shelton…”