Australian Open 2022: Tennis champion Sam Stosur defends Covid-19 vaccination mandate

Sam Stosur is one of the biggest names in Australian tennis and she has given her opinion on the vaccination debate

Australian tennis great Sam Stosur says athletes, and the events they compete in, must abide by the same vaccination rules as everyone else.

The government’s vaccination mandate has resulted in a significant uptake in recent weeks for global tennis stars, who must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 to compete in the Australian Open in January.

Stosur, who is preparing to play in her 20th Australian Open main draw after winning the US Open doubles title in September, said it was the best way forward.

“I can absolutely see where other people are coming from, but if we want to get on with it and have (any sort of normal life), unfortunately, it’s just the position we’re in,” Stosur told News Corp.

“If the mandate’s coming in around the country, why should a sporting event be any different?

“We’ve got to do what we’ve got to do to try and move on from this, and if we can do it well and in a safe way to still be able to enjoy the social aspects of sporting events (it is worth it).”

Australian tennis champion Sam Stosur says athletes need to abide by the same vaccination rules as everyone else. Picture: Alex Coppel

The 2011 US Open singles champion said the debate in some parts of the tennis community about Australia’s strict Covid-19 restrictions was mostly due to the timing.

“I don’t think it’s going to be the case only in Australia for tennis players. It’s already hard to get into the (United) States and I couldn’t imagine Europe’s going to be like, ‘Yeah, do whatever you want’.

“This is a hot topic because we’re the first grand slam and we’re the first tournaments of the new year, so it’s all about Australia putting in these restrictions and mandates.

“But I think it’s going to be hard if you’re not (vaccinated) to continue being a tennis player.

“I’d rather be vaccinated with the travel we’re doing. That’s my choice and my opinion but it’s hard to see any real other way to be able to do things.”

Tennis program launch

Former Australian Open boss and high-profile player Paul McNamee doesn’t believe vaccination mandates will be “widespread” for tennis stars.

But he said Australia’s stance meant many other tournaments across the world would no longer have any dilemma, given about 95 per cent of the top players are vaccinated now.

“(The mandate) has been a very good impetus for the stragglers to get their act together,” McNamee said.

“To be honest, it was hard for them to do it when they’re travelling on the road, because when do you pick a time to get your two vaccinations?”

McNamee said players’ initial pushback was them simply seeking clarity after the initial “indecision” on vaccination rules between the Federal and state governments.

He tipped unvaccinated Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert wouldn’t be the last player to withdraw from the Open but felt there wouldn’t be many.