[ad_1]
New York (AP) — Moderator became a 2012 champion, coronavirus pandemic, when Andy Murray sat in the main interview room at the US Open for a press conference before the tournament on Saturday.
Unlike the nine players who met the media there the day before, Murray chose to keep his mask on. And unlike about half of the other men and women in court when the last Grand Slam tournament of the year begins on Monday, Murray is vaccinated with COVID-19.
I wish he had more tennis professionals. In Flushing Meadows, The problem of hot buttons in society as a whole Recently, especially as the number of cases related to delta variants has increased.
For one thing, players and their team members do not need to be vaccinated, but spectators who pay to see them can get close enough to the action that provides a high five. There is at least one shot.
In addition, some players, like No. 1 Novak Djokovic, assemble the decision whether to take a shot as a purely personal choice. And some, like Murray, explain that it’s not just about protecting yourself, it’s about helping others.
“I feel like I’m enjoying a pretty normal life, but not for players who aren’t. I’m sure they’ll be dissatisfied with it. After all, we’re all vaccinated. I think the reason we are doing this is to pay attention to more people. As players traveling around the world, we have a responsibility to take care of everyone else, “says Murray. I did. “I’m happy to be vaccinated. I hope more players will choose it in the coming months.”
ATP spokesman said Saturday that more than 50% of male players were vaccinated and the male tour “continues to strongly recommend vaccination to players.” WTA spokesmen said that nearly half of female players were vaccinated, and women’s tours “strongly believe and now” exceed 85% by the end of the year “without requiring athletes to be vaccinated. We encourage everyone to be vaccinated with the goal of increasing the number of people.
Just recently Wednesday, the United States Tennis Association said fans do not need to be vaccinated at the US Open. But prompted by the New York City Mayor’s office, USTA met on Friday, It requires fans over the age of 12 to prove that they have received a single dose. Social media praises complaints from fans who are happy with the additional precautions and others who are angry with the policy and its timing.
People interacting with the players already needed to be vaccinated: USTA employees, chair referees, ball children, the media, and some guards and transport workers.
Some players say their traveling lifestyle, which regularly travels from city to city or from continent to continent, complicates vaccine availability.
“There are several opportunities throughout the year. Three major semi-phies that have not been vaccinated for contact tracing and have not been withdrawn from Wimbledon after team members tested positive for COVID-19. Nalist Johanna Konta said she was ill and couldn’t compete in the Tokyo Olympics. “But obviously, it’s logical to time them together. That’s the essence of our sport.”
Unlike team sports such as the NFL and Major League Baseball, where vaccines are encouraged and incentives, tennis is a very personal sport, giving players the opportunity to take shots onsite in certain tournaments. However, it will not be offered in other tournaments, including the United States. Open yourself.
“We have provided athletes with information on where they can be vaccinated near the hotel …. There are many places in New York City where non-citizens can be vaccinated,” said the tournament director. Stacy Alastair said. “There is nothing special to do here.”
Coco Gauff, a 17-year-old American who made it to the French Open quarterfinals in June, said he was to be vaccinated for the first time the same week he got COVID-19.
“The real problem is spacing the doses, and obviously it’s hard to get from country to country,” Gauff said this month.
“But I’ll get it as soon as possible,” she said.
Other athletes, such as Stefanos Tsitsipas, after Djokovic at the French Open, have stated that they will only be vaccinated when needed.
Tsitsipas, who will face Murray on Monday, said, “I’m pretty sure I’ll have to do that someday, but I haven’t done it because competition isn’t mandatory so far.” Told.
Djokovic and his wife, Elena, were positive for the coronavirus last year after organizing a series of exhibition matches while the Pro Tour was dormant.
“I think it should always be a personal decision, whether or not it is vaccinated, so I support it,” Djokovic said. “So it’s entirely up to them, whether or not someone wants to be vaccinated. I hope it stays that way.
___
Other AP Tennis: https: //apnews.com/hub/tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
[ad_2]