Greek tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas has defended his stance regarding the COVID-19 vaccine before advocating the ideology of herd immunity among younger people.
Earlier this week the world No.3 revealed that he personally would not be getting vaccinated for the virus until it was mandatory to do so on the Tour. Tsitsipas expressed some concerns about the side effects but also stated at the same time that he is not anti-vaccination. Pointing out that it is just his personal choice not to do so.
Following his second round win over Sebastian Korda at the Western and Southern Open on Thursday, Tsitsipas clarified his stance on the topic during his press conference where he reportedly only spoke in Greek. He told reporters he ‘sees no reason’ why people under the age of 25 should be vaccinated because the program was designed to protect ‘older people.’ Tsitsipas also expressed reservations about the testing process.
“I am young, I am in the under-25 category,” SDNA quoted Tsitsipas as saying. “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 clarifying this, I just see no reason for someone in my age group to need to be vaccinated. I think the concept was to be given to older people, if I’m not mistaken. It is not something we know too much about and so far it has not been given to us as a must on the tour. So there is no reason.’
Whilst it is not mandatory, both the ATP and WTA have encouraged their players to get vaccinated. Some tournaments have run initiatives where players can be jabbed whilst playing at their event. According to journalist Stuart Fraser, this year’s BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells will require all attending fans, staff, media, sponsors and vendors to be vaccinated but not players.
“I did not say anything strange (earlier in the week). Everyone has their own point of view. If it is to play it diplomats and not be able to express our views on something specific, what is the reason for doing these interviews.” Tsitsipas argues.
The 23-year-old is likely to trigger some criticism after saying he thinks it is ‘good’ young people catch and transmit the virus because it builds up their immunity. The concept is better known as herd community which is when a substantial amount of the population is immune to a pathogen, either by vaccination or prior infection, stopping infection numbers from growing. However, in the case of COVID-19, it is debatable about the effectiveness of this approach due to the various variants of the virus.
“Everyone has the right to do what he thinks is right. No one can go with a vaccine and force you to do it. Everyone has the right to decide what they want to do. If you want to protect yourself with the vaccine, go and do it,” said Tsitsipas.
“For us young people, I think it is good to pass the virus because we will build immunity. I do not see it as something bad. As I said, it is not obligatory, everyone has the freedom to decide for themselves what is right and what is not. At some point we should all do it, I’m not saying the opposite. The time will come when we will not be given many options, but until then I want to see a better version of the vaccine that gives us more pluses than minuses.”
Tsitsipas will play Lorenzo Sonego in the third round of the Western and Southern Open on Thursday.
