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NEW YORK – When Andy Murray sat within the U.S. Open’s primary interview room for a pre-tournament information convention Saturday, the moderator knowledgeable the 2012 champion he was allowed to take away the kind of mild blue medical masks that has turn out to be so ubiquitous in the course of the coronavirus pandemic.
In contrast to the 9 gamers who met with the media in that spot a day earlier, Murray selected to maintain his masks on. And in contrast to roughly half the opposite males who will probably be taking the court docket when the yr’s final Grand Slam event begins Monday, Murray has been vaccinated towards COVID-19.
He needs extra tennis execs have been. It units up a few contrasts at Flushing Meadows in relation to a hot-button issue across society lately, particularly as circumstances linked to the delta variant enhance.
For one factor, gamers and their crew members don’t must be vaccinated, however the spectators who’ve paid to look at them — and at some courts can get shut sufficient to the motion to supply high-fives — now should be capable to present they’ve had at the very least one shot.
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Plus, among the many gamers, there are these, comparable to No. 1-ranked Novak Djokovic, who body the choice about whether or not to get a shot as a purely private selection. And there are these, comparable to Murray, who clarify it as being not nearly defending oneself but additionally about serving to others.
“I really feel like I’m having fun with sort of a reasonably regular life, whereas for the gamers that haven’t, it’s totally different. I’m certain they’ll be annoyed with that. Finally, I suppose the rationale why all of us are getting vaccinated is to look out for the broader public. We’ve a accountability as gamers which might be touring internationally to look out for everybody else, as nicely,” Murray stated. “I’m joyful that I’m vaccinated. I’m hoping that extra gamers select to have it within the coming months.”
An ATP spokesman stated Saturday that simply above 50% of male gamers are vaccinated and the tour “continues to strongly suggest vaccination to gamers.” The WTA did not instantly reply to a request for data.
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As lately as Wednesday, the U.S. Tennis Affiliation stated followers would not must be vaccinated. However, prompted by the New York mayor’s workplace, the USTA did an about-face Friday, making it necessary for followers over 12 years previous getting into the grounds to indicate proof they’ve acquired one dose — drawing reward on social media from these happy in regards to the additional layer of precaution and complaints from others upset in regards to the coverage and its timing.
Individuals who work together with gamers already have been required to be vaccinated: USTA staff, chair umpires, ball youngsters, the media and a few in safety and transportation.
Some gamers say their itinerant way of life, commonly touring from metropolis to metropolis — and even continent to continent — makes getting the vaccine sophisticated.
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“There are some alternatives which have come up all year long. Possibly a handful,” stated three-time main semifinalist Johanna Konta, who isn’t vaccinated and pulled out of Wimbledon due to contact tracing after a crew member examined optimistic for COVID-19, then obtained sick herself and missed the Tokyo Olympics. “However clearly it’s a logistical factor to place collectively and to time these issues. That’s simply the character of sort of our sport.”
In contrast to in crew sports activities such because the NFL or Main League Baseball, the place vaccines have been inspired and incentivized, tennis may be very a lot a person sport, the place sure tournaments provide gamers the possibility to get pictures on-site and others do not — together with the U.S. Open itself.
“We supplied the athletes with the knowledge of the place they will go to be vaccinated within the neighborhood of the resort. … There are such a lot of areas right here in New York Metropolis for non-citizens to obtain a vaccine,” event director Stacey Allaster stated. “We gained’t particularly be doing it right here on-site.”
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Coco Gauff, the 17-year-old American who was a French Open quarterfinalist in June, stated she was speculated to get her first vaccine shot the identical week she obtained COVID-19.
“The true drawback is simply getting the dosages spaced out and, clearly, going from nation to nation is tough,” Gauff stated this month.
“However,” she stated, “I’m going to get it as quickly as I can.”
Different gamers, comparable to Stefanos Tsitsipas, the runner-up to Djokovic on the French Open, say they solely could be vaccinated if it have been required.
“In some unspecified time in the future I should, I’m fairly certain about it, however up to now it hasn’t been necessary to compete, so I haven’t achieved it,” stated Tsitsipas, who’s scheduled to face Murray on Monday.
Djokovic and his spouse, Jelena, examined optimistic for the coronavirus final yr after he organized a collection of exhibition matches whereas the professional excursions have been on hiatus.
“I really feel like that must be at all times a private resolution, whether or not you wish to get vaccinated or not. So I’m supportive of that,” Djokovic stated. “So whether or not somebody desires to get a vaccine or not, that’s utterly as much as them. I hope that it stays that means.
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Extra AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
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