World no. 3 Simona Halep got her first dose of the covid-19 vaccine on Wednesday at Cantacuzino Institute in Bucharest, skipping the next week's WTA 500 Doha event.
After the quarter-final Australian Open loss to Serena Williams, Simona went home to Romania and decided to skip the next week's Qatar Open, planning to return in Dubai before the second dose of vaccine.
"I wanted to get vaccinated. I came with an open mind, and I'm fine. I was vaccinated with Pfizer. I haven't had any side effects now. It's for everyone's sake, and that's why I decided to get vaccinated. I 100% want to go to the Olympics and do a good job; people talk more and more about the Olympics. I really want the medal, whichever it may be, and to enjoy the moment there.
I hope it won't be difficult like it was in Australia, because it was a bit hard. I have many tournaments ahead, and I hope to play well during each tournament, just as I did in Australia. There is a plan to play in Dubai. I am currently in recovery, and I will see next week what I will decide," Simona Halep said.