Alexander Zverev comments on the vaccination debate and moves into the quarter-finals in Indian Wells

Updated on October 14, 2021, 10:41 am

• Olympic champion Alexander Zverev stays out of the discussion about the vaccination call by the organizers of the Australian Open.
• He respects every player who does not want to be vaccinated against an infection with the coronavirus. At the same time, he understands the measure taken by the Australian government.
• A certain problem does not come to him, Zverev, anyway.

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After a vaccination call to the participants of the Australian Open, tennis professional Alexander Zverev wants to stay out of the discussion. “I don’t want to be involved in something that I’m not directly involved in because I don’t have the two-week quarantine problem,” he said on Tuesday (local time) in California. “I don’t want to stand up against anyone here.”

He fully understands and fully respects the decision of players who are not vaccinated, said Zverev. “I also respect the decision of the Australian government.” When asked whether he wanted to take part in the tournament despite the discussion about vaccination and stricter rules for unvaccinated people, Zverev said: “I don’t know why I shouldn’t.”

Also read: Current developments in the corona pandemic in our live ticker

Australia may soon deny entry to unvaccinated people

The State of Victoria Sports Minister Martin Pakula urgently advised participants in the Australian Open to be vaccinated against the corona virus on Tuesday. “This is the best chance for them to play at the Australian Open with minimal restrictions,” emphasized the minister. The central government still has to decide whether or not unvaccinated people will be allowed to enter Australia in the foreseeable future.

“As for the rules that might apply specifically to the Australian Open, we’re in discussions with Tennis Australia and the Ministry of Health.” He indicated that vaccination could also loosen the quarantine rules for professionals. “If I were an ATP or WTA player, I would get vaccinated,” said Pakula. The Australian Open will take place in Melbourne from January 17th to 30th.

Indian Wells: Zverev handles Monfils

Meanwhile, Zverev showed a strong performance on the tennis court. At the tournament in Indian Wells he made it to the quarterfinals. The German number one won on Wednesday (local time) 6: 1, 6: 3 against the French veteran Gael Monfils. The next opponent of the Olympic champion is the American Taylor Fritz. After winning the first round, Zverev had to break more resistance from 35-year-old Monfils in the second set. With the break to 5: 3, the 24-year-old fourth in the world rankings gained the decisive advantage and ended the game after only 61 minutes.

After the US Open winner Daniil Medvedev went out, Zverev is one of the favorites for the title at the $ 8.3 million event in California’s desert. The top seed Medvedev lost 6: 4, 4: 6, 3: 6 against the Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov. Also there is French Open finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas. The number two Greek defeated the Australian Alex de Minaur 6: 7 (3: 7), 7: 6 (7: 3), 6: 2. Tsitsipas and Zverev could meet in the semifinals. (dpa / hau / sap)