Simona Halep says she is no longer afraid of COVID-19 after being vaccinated against the virus.
The world No.13 spoke out about the ongoing pandemic following her win at the Western and Southern Open on Tuesday where she won her first match since returning from injury. Halep had been sidelined for several weeks due to a calf problem which forced her to miss both Wimbledon and the Olympic Games. Halep says she has no fear about mixing with those players who have not been vaccinated before going on to urge others to get vaccinated. Arguing that it is the easiest way to remove the use of ‘bubbles’ on the Tour where the player’s movements are restricted.
“I don’t feel afraid, because I am vaccinated. I feel protected. I am taking care. I wear the mask when many people are around,” said Halep
“I feel much better when the tournament is open. I don’t like the bubbles. I feel very stressed when I’m in the bubble. So if people can vaccinate more and more will be better, because we will not have more restrictions anymore.”
Although not everybody has the same view as the Romanian. Earlier this week, Stefanos Tsitsipas said he would not be getting vaccinated unless it is mandatory to do so.
“At some point I will have to, I’m pretty sure about it, but so far it hasn’t been mandatory to compete, so I haven’t done it, no.” he said.
It is possible that a person can still contract COVID-19 after being fully vaccinated but their reaction is usually a lot less severe. They are also still able to transmit the virus between people.
As a result of the pandemic, the sport came to a halt last year with various tournaments being either suspended or cancelled altogether. Leaving many players without the possibility of earning prize money. However, in Halep’s case, she found her recent injury break a tougher experience.
“Last year was easier because everybody was home. But this period was tougher because everyone was playing and I missed two Grand Slams,” she explained.
“So it was a little bit painful but these things I hope will make me stronger. Now I can just enjoy more the fact that I can be on the court.”
During her latest match, the two-time Grand Slam champion suffered an injury scare but was able to shrug it off. Partly helped by the rain delay to her match. Later on she revealed that she ‘contracted a muscle’
Halep will play Jessica Pegula in the second round.
