World No.3 Stefanos Tsitsipas appears to have changed his views concerning the COVID-19 vaccination after telling Greek TV that he will have his first shot later this year.
In August the French Open finalist told reporters that he would only have the vaccine if it was mandatory for players to do so on the Tour. Speaking to reporters at the Cincinnati Masters, Tsitsipas said he saw ‘no reason’ why people in his age group should be vaccinated and voiced some concerns over the possible side effects. He also said that young people catching and passing the virus between each other is a ‘good thing’ as it builds up their immunity.
“No-one has made it a mandatory thing to be vaccinated. 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.
“I’m young, under 25 category, for me the vaccine has not been tested enough, it is new. It has some side effects.
“I personally know some people who have had them. I’m not against it, I just see no reason for someone in my age group to need to be vaccinated.”
Tsitsipas’ remarks prompted backlash back in his home country with a series of top figures criticising him, including a spokesman for the Greek government who said the tennis star lacked the knowledge to make such a statement.
Questioned about his COVID-19 stance by Antenna TV on Monday, the 23-year-old stated that he has never been against anybody who had the vaccination before adding that his knowledge on the subject is not the best.
“I personally have never promoted vaccination and to clarify something I have never been against vaccination. I support anyone who wants to go for vaccination. I am not a doctor, I am a tennis player and my opinion may not be the best. “It has to do with medicine. If they ask me about tennis, I’m better at it.” He said.
Tsitsipas added that him being vaccinated later this year will ‘definitely happen’ because he sees ‘no other possibility’ in order to have a relatively normal social life.
“It (the COVID-19 pandemic) has bothered everyone, not just me. We have to look at it with a good eye, to be together in it,” Tsitsipas concluded.
Elsewhere in his interview with Antenna TV, Tsitsipas once again denied allegations that he deliberately takes long breaks during matches in order to upset the momentum of his rivals. During the US Open he was criticised by Andy Murray for taking a lengthy toilet break during their clash in the first round. Alexander Zverev and other players have also spoken about the Greek on this topic. It is understood that the ATP plans to implement a time limit concerning how long a player is allowed to leave the court.
Finally, Tsitsipas says he hopes to be on the Tour for a long time and ‘wishes’ he can follow in the footsteps of Roger Federer who is still playing at the age of 40.
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