Daniil Medvedev responds to Stefanos Tsitsipas’ controversial anti-vaccine stance

Stefanos Tsitsipas slams racket during Nick Kyrgios clash

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Daniil Medvedev has had his say on the Covid vaccine after controversial comments made by his rival Stefanos Tsitsipas. Earlier this week in Cincinnati, the world No 3 revealed that he wouldn’t receive the jab unless it became mandatory on tour, and said he thought it was “good” for young people to catch the virus – subsequently landing himself in hot water with the Greek government who slammed his views. The recent Toronto champion has now responded to the 23-year-old’s anti-vaccine stance.

Tsitsipas was slammed by Greek government officials after voicing his controversial anti-vaccine stance in press during the Western & Southern Open.

At the start of the tournament, he was asked whether he had heard anything about the vaccine becoming mandatory and said: “No-one has made it a mandatory thing to be vaccinated. At some point I will have to, I’m pretty sure about it. But so far it hasn’t been mandatory to compete, so I haven’t done it, no.”

He later elaborated on his views when asked by Greek reporters following his opening round win over Sebastian Korda, saying he thought the vaccine was unnecessary due to his younger age.

“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. I’m not against clarifying this, I just see no reason for someone in my age group to need to be vaccinated,” he said, reportedly sounding frustrated with the question.

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The world No 3 continued: “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.”

Tsitsipas clarified that he wasn’t against the vaccine, but thought people should make their own decision as to whether or not the want it, saying: “If you want to protect yourself with the vaccine, your problem, go and do it.”

While the Roland Garros runner-up was clear on his stance and even thought it would be “good” to catch Covid, he didn’t rule out getting a “better” vaccine in the future.

“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.

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“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,” he said.

Medvedev has now had his say on his rival’s controversial views.

The pair have previously voiced their dislike for one another, stemming from an argument during their first-round clash at the 2018 Miami Open, but were seen catching a private jet with Nick Kyrgios in 2019, with the Aussie counting both as friends on the tour.

Addressing the controversy Tsitsipas has faced in recent days, the 25-year-old said: “All I can say is that for me it is okay. well anything that makes people safe.

“For me it is fantastic that the public is back in the stands as this is a fundamental part of tennis, a part that makes this sport more fun.”

Government spokesperson Giannis Economou also slammed the world No 3’s comments during a press briefing, saying: “He has neither the knowledge, nor the studies, nor the research work, that would allow him to form an opinion about it.”

Complimenting the Greek player for being a “great athlete”, he added: “What is at stake, however, is his ability to assess the need for vaccinations or whether the vaccine has been tested for a sufficient period of time.”

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