"We all saw it coming" says Elise Mertens about vaccination at the Australian Open

Australian Open doubles champion Elise Mertens explained during the Billie Jean King Cup Finals press conference that WTA players saw the vaccination need coming for the Australian Open.

Much has been talked about about the Australian Open and their stance on vaccination amongst players. It's not yet quite clear whether players that have gotten vaccinated will be able to play at the event but for Elise Mertens, the vaccination mandate was something many saw coming. Asked whether she was vaccinated she said:

"I am vaccinated... it definitely helps because we travel a lot and we come into contact with lots of people. There are more players and staff and coaches who are getting vaccinated. It definitely helps to not be a close contact and not be in quarantine for too long because it definitely breaks the rhythm."

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Another player who chimed in on the matter is 2021 Australian Open doubles champion Katerina Siniakova who explained that players saw the mandate coming:

"We all saw it coming. Unfortunately the situation does not give us a choice. I wasn't too excited about the rule, but I want to play tennis so there's nothing I can do. I think there's more to come because Australia won't go soft."

Her doubles partner Barbora Krejcikova confirmed the vaccination of the pair saying:

"We have to, health is the priority."