‘I don’t really trust it’ – ATP and WTA stars reveal skepticism over coronavirus vaccines
Some of the world’s best tennis players have admitted they are unlikely to get the coronavirus vaccine if they have a choice as they have too many doubts over it.
Several countries around the globe have rolled out Covid-19 vaccination programmes and sports stars, including tennis players, are likely to be offered vaccines in the coming few months.
There had also been suggestions that athletes might be forced to get vaccinations if they want to compete at the Tokyo Olympics later this year.
Although many trials have proven that most of the vaccines are safe and highly effective, some players have voiced concerns over it with WTA world No 8 Aryna Sabalenka saying it was produced “really quick”.
“So far I don’t really trust it,” the Belarusian said. “It’s tough to say, but I don’t really want it yet and I don’t want my family take it.
“If I will have to do it, then of course I have to do it because our life is a travel life.
“I have to speak with my doctors and see which one is better for me, but for now, I don’t really trust it.
“They just make it, like really quick and there wasn’t enough time to test it and to see what can happen.
“So I think this is not enough time to make the good one.”
Fellow WTA player Elina Svitolina says she “will probably wait for now” as players will still be forced to quarantine.
“It will not really help you in many ways because you have to quarantine anyway because ATP and WTA, they oblige you to quarantine anyway, like 24 hours as soon as you get it,” the Ukrainian said.
“Okay, you will reduce your symptoms if you get it, but still, there is a chance that you can get it.
“So for now it makes almost, like, no sense to do something that has been tested for such a short period of time.
“For me, I will probably wait for now.”
And there is also skepticism on the ATP Tour as world No 7 Andrey Rublev says he “will not do it” if it is optional.
“For the moment it doesn’t really give you any privilege,” the Russian said. “You still have to be in the bubble.
“If you ask me if I can choose and I can have an option, I will not do it.”
World No 9 Diego Schwartzman had a similar opinion, although he will “maybe do it” if he is forced to take it before the Olympics.
“If I have a chance in the future, I think I’m going to help my family to get one, but I really don’t love the vaccine. Never have. It’s not a tradition in my family to get any vaccine.
“I read a lot of things about Tokyo trying to get the vaccine for the athletes. If the athletes have the chance [to get vaccinated] before going [to] Tokyo, maybe I’ll do it.’
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