The Tennis Anti-Doping Program (TADP) recommended that US Open competitor and women’s tennis world No.3 Maria Sharapova and other top players with healthy immune systems should get vaccinated in time for the 2017 Grand Slam event.
According to the programme, Fedetovics, Neumann and a pair of foot and throat viruses are the key viruses and may be the most dangerous at the US Open. It is recommended that those with healthy immune systems should get the vaccines this month, as the tennis superstars are due to return to competition for the first time in the last two months of the year.
It is unclear at this stage how many top players have already opted to get vaccinated, but the US Open calls on their players to do so regularly for wellness reasons.
“All medical issues are on a case-by-case basis. We have only received one communication regarding the use of a contraceptive drug, Paxil,” an US Open spokesperson told Reuters.
“All players must take responsibility for their own health and behavior.”
Maria Sharapova will be a huge draw at the New York Grand Slam having returned from a 15-month doping ban at this year’s WTA Finals in Singapore. She failed a drug test at last year’s Australian Open.
The 30-year-old Russian was given the same penalty she would have received had she tested positive for a drug permitted under the rules of the World Anti-Doping Agency at the time of her violation.
The US Open begins August 27 and runs through to September 10.
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