“No One Has Told Me Anything” – Stefanos Tsitsipas on Not Taking the COVID-19 Vaccine

Stefanos Tsitsipas is arguably one of many brightest younger stars in tennis at present. The 23-year-old achieved his highest world rating of #3 final week, overtaking clay court docket specialist Rafael Nadal. The 2021 season can also be turning out to be one in every of his finest since he turned professional in 2016.

Whereas he reached the Australian Open semifinal, he reached his first Grand Slam ultimate within the French Open. Nonetheless, he misplaced a possibility to seal his maiden Grand Slam regardless of main Novak Djokovic by two units.

With the US Open in two weeks’ time, the Cincinnati Open presents the final alternative for gamers to warmup for the exhausting court docket Grand Slam. Whereas the Greek star takes half on this event, he gave a controversial reply relating to the necessity for him to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine.

Stefanos Tsitsipas admits he hasn’t acquired the vaccine amidst the COVID-19 pandemic

Final yr, the COVID-19 pandemic modified the best way sports activities occasions function. Whereas organisers are permitting followers to enter stadiums, they’ve strict protocols in place for gamers to comply with. For some tournaments, a kind of protocols includes the necessity for gamers to take the COVID-19 vaccine.

Nonetheless, Tsitsipas revealed he didn’t take the vaccine regardless of touring to varied tournaments earlier than the Cincinnati Open. As well as, he revealed he’ll solely take it when it’s obligatory. He said, “I haven’t. Nobody has advised me something. Nobody has made it a compulsory factor to be vaccinated.

“Sooner or later I must, I’m fairly positive about it, however up to now it hasn’t been obligatory to compete, so I haven’t finished it, no.”

The 23-year-old’s response drew blended reactions on Twitter. Whereas some agreed with him, others wrote in opposition to him. One person wrote, “Gee, simply after we thought he appeared good.”

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Can Tsitsipas clinch his maiden Cincinnati Open?

The absence of Djokovic in Cincinnati makes Tsitsipas the second seed. Though he struggled for kind since Wimbledon, he’s nonetheless a favourite given his run within the Australian Open earlier this yr.

With the 23-year-old getting a bye within the first spherical, he’ll face both Sebastian Korda or Laslo Djere within the second spherical of the Cincinnati Open. He might face high seed Daniil Medvedev within the ultimate supplied each gamers don’t endure any upsets alongside the best way.

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