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Aussie Tennis Legend Questions Why Athletes Are Being "Pressured" Into Taking Vaccine

Aussie Tennis Legend Questions Why Athletes Are Being "Pressured" Into Taking Vaccine

"I just don’t want young, healthy athletes taking something that could long-term damage them for no reason."

Max Sherry

Max Sherry

Pat Cash has questioned why "young athletes" are being "pressured" into taking the COVID-19 vaccine, fearing that it could give them "long-term damage for no reason".

The Aussie legend has joined fellow tennis stars such as Novak Djokovic and Stefano Tsitsipas is voicing his doubts over the safety of the vaccine and coronavirus as a whole.

Serbian star Djokovic has made his feeling on the pandemic be known by continually flouting social distancing rules last year.

As for Tsitsipas, he said he will only get the vaccine if it becomes mandatory requirement for him to play.

Now five-time Grand Slam-winner Cash has waded in, admitting "we just don't know" about the outcomes of the jab while also suggesting we just "wait a year or two" until athletes are allowed to make a decision.

"I just don't want young, healthy athletes taking something that could long-term damage them for no reason," Cash told TCW TV.

"We just don't know. Can't we just wait a year or two years until all the info is out there? And make a decision then.

"That was my stance. Let's just wait and see what happens.

"More and more (tennis players) are getting vaccinated because they cannot do their job unless they are.

"They cannot plan in tournaments, they cannot travel.

"I think it's about 50 per cent, it's not 100 per cent, and it's slowly creeping up there.

"I know the Grand Slam winners and runners up, I know one of them has been vaccinated, but the rest haven't. They see there's really no need for them to do it."

Pat Cash at Wimbledon in 1986.
PA

When asked by the host whether the players were being "held hostage" Cash doubled down on his claims.

"We all are [being held hostage] aren't we," he added.

"Talking about vaccine passports, can't go to restaurants.

"Can't do this, can't do that. Aren't we all being sort of pressured into this? Can we make our own mind up please?"

As a result of his comments, Cash copped plenty of backlash from fans on social media, some accusing him of spreading misinformation.

But perhaps the best reply to his remarks came from Twitter user Bennett Arron, who said: "I'm assuming that the people taking advice on the COVID vaccination from Pat Cash will also be looking to Chris Whitty to improve their backhand."

Featured Image Credit: Twitter/@TheConWom

Topics: Tennis, Tennis news, vaccine, Coronavirus, Australia, , Covid-19