Tennis news - Charleston Open offering one shot Covid vaccine to players - Oksana Kalashnikova

Updated 08/04/2021 at 13:32 GMT

The Georgian doubles player has thanked tournament organisers for making it possible to receive a coronavirus jab, saying on Twitter that she received the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine. Kalishnikova confirmed all players at the event, which includes world number one Ashleigh Barty, are eligible to receive the injection.

Oksana Kalashnikova shared a picture of her Covid vaccine confirmation on Twitter

Image credit: Twitter

All tennis players involved at the Charleston Open in the USA are eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine, according to doubles specialist Oksana Kalashnikova.

The Georgian revealed on Twitter that she had been given the one-shot Johnson & Johnson/Janssen jab, which is widely used in the US but has not yet been approved by regulators in the United Kingdom, though it is reported it will be the version of choice for the under-30s when it is.

Kalashnikova confirmed all players were being offered a vaccine at the event, where world number one Ashleigh Barty leads the field.

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The Australian has previously said she is open to receiving the injection, but it is not known which players have taken up the offer in South Carolina, and organisers have not confirmed Kalashnikova’s claim.

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Unlike in the UK, where the rollout is staggered by age or medical status, the state of South Carolina permits anyone over the age of 16 to receive a vaccine, so the players are not jumping any queues.

There have been calls for elite sports people to receive a jab, especially before this summer’s Olympics and Paralympics, but there have also been sceptics in tennis.