Stefanos Tsitsipas explains reasons for not getting the vaccine

The use of vaccines among tennis professionals has been a controversial topic. There are high profile players who have been vaccinated and called for vaccination in tennis such as Halep, Federer and Nadal and there have been players who have questioned it.

Novak Djokovic is a player who said he would refuse the vaccine over a year ago as well as Rublev and Sabalenka who said they had no plans of getting it. Tsitispas is among them however he explained his stance by saying:

“I am young, I am in the 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."

Tsitsipas clarified he is not anti-vaccine however he does not see the need for him to get vaccinated:

"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."

So far the ATP has not mandated players to get vaccine due to an expected fierce pushback. Tsitsipas will 'cross the bridge' if he has to but as long as it's not mandated he won't be getting it. He finished off by saying:

“Everyone has the right to decide what they want to do. If you want to protect yourself with the vaccine, your problem, go and do it. 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."