A tennis star has admitted he does not know when he will return to the sport and fears he may have to bring forward his retirement because of health problems he says he has suffered since taking the Pfizer Covid vaccine.
World number 73 Jeremy Chardy has become the latest tennis star to speak out against vaccines after experiencing what he describes as violent, near-paralyzing pains across his body since taking the jab, warning that there is “no hindsight” once people have received the treatment.
The 34-year-old says he his priority is to “take care of myself” after seing two doctors and taking tests in a bid to deduce why he has found physical exertion so difficult since being vaccinated.
“Suddenly I cannot train, I cannot play,” the 2017 Davis Cup winner told AFP, explaining that he received the jab between this summer’s Olympics, when he was beaten by gold medalist Alex Zverev in the quarterfinals, and the US Open, when he lost in straight sets in the first round to Matteo Berrettini at the end of August.
Jeremy Chardy says he suffered a severe reaction after getting his Covid-19 vaccine: “I cannot practice, I cannot play. I started feeling a big pain on my entire body. I regret getting vaccinated” (Via RMC Sport)
“I went to see two doctors, I did some tests, so I know what I have and the most important thing is to take care of myself. I prefer to take more time to heal myself and be sure that in the future I won't have a problem, rather than trying…..
“In my head, it’s difficult because I do not know how long it will last. For the moment, my season is stopped and I do not know when I will resume.
“It’s frustrating because I started the year really well, I was playing really well. And then I went to the Games, where I felt great too.
“And now my season is at a standstill and I do not know when I will resume. It is especially frustrating that I do not have ten years to play… suddenly, now I regret having had the vaccine, but I could not know [what the consequences would be].”
Covid vaccination requirements have been a contentious topic across sports, with some athletes and coaches enthusiastically extolling treatments while others have voiced their reservations and even been released by clubs as a result of their reluctance to be jabbed.
The issue has been notable among tennis players, including pleas by arguably the current headline act of the sport – Novak Djokovic – for vaccines not to be made compulsory.
While high-profile figures such as Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray have encouraged the public to become vaccinated, Stefano Tsitsipas became embroiled in controversy when he appeared to suggest that the spread of the virus could be a positive development, leading to the government in his homeland of Greece seemingly distancing itself from the contender despite the fact that he had acted as a figurehead for their vaccination campaign.
Tsitsipas has since said that he is willing to be vaccinated this year, having previously stated that he would only do so if it was made mandatory.
Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash has claimed that Covid vaccines are experimental and been outspoken in voicing his opposition to players being forced to take them – a standpoint Chardy evidently agrees with.
“I even prefer to take more time to take care of myself and be sure that, in the future, I will not have any problem, rather than trying to get back on the court as quickly as possible and finding myself still having health problems,” he said, describing a “series of struggles” he has faced.
“I’m 35 in February, so right now I might be a little bit negative – but it’s the first time that I have thought that next season might be my last… it’s difficult because I was having fun and I wanted to play longer.
“The problem is that we have no hindsight on the vaccine. There are people who have had similar [experiences], but the durations [of their issues] have been really different.”
According to World Health Organization (WHO) guidance updated in September, the group “thoroughly assessed the quality, safety, and efficacy of the vaccine” before recommending it for people over the age of 16 at the end of 2020.
The WHO says that the Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety, a group of experts providing independent and authoritative guidance on safe vaccine use, receives and assesses reports of suspected safety issues that are “of potentially international impact.”
The vaccine is said to have a 95% efficacy against symptomatic contraction of the virus.
The motorsports world is in mourning after the loss of 15-year-old Dean Berta Vinales, who has died after suffering ‘severe head and thoracic injuries’ in a crash at the Supersport 300 race in Jerez, Spain.
The youngster, who was the cousin of MotoGP star Maverick Vinales, died after being involved in a five-rider crash during the World Supersport 300 World Championship feeder series race.
The severity of Vinales’ injuries was made apparent after race organizers immediately flew a red flag before making the call to cancel the rest of the day’s racing. Initial reports state that the other riders involved in the accident are unharmed.
In a statement confirming their worst fears shortly afterwards, World Superbike announced: “Following a serious incident during Race 1 of the Motul Spanish Round of the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship at the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto, it is with great sadness that we report the passing of rider Dean Berta Vinales.”
We’re deeply saddened to report the loss of Dean Berta Viñales.
The #WorldSBK family sends love to his family, loved ones, and his team. Your personality, enthusiasm, and commitment will be hugely missed.
The update also confirmed that Vinales had been treated for severe injuries to his head and thorax and had been transported to a Seville hospital by emergency airlift.
Vinales had been competing in his maiden WorldSSP300 season as part of his family-run Vinales Racing Team, founded by his uncle – Maverick Linares’ father – to help promote young Spanish racing talent.
The teenager had shown significant promise in his rookie campaign, finishing fourth in a race at the Magny-Cours event in August before qualifying in 10th on the grid for this weekend’s WorldSSP300 races.
Oh not again. Such tragic news about Dean Berta Viñales. But how many times does this need to happen?
Following a serious incident in Jerez this morning, FIM Supersport 300 World Championship rider Dean Berta Viñales, cousin of MotoGP rider Maverick, has sadly passed away.
The thoughts of everyone at BT Sport are with Berta's friends, family and team-mates. pic.twitter.com/qQEEu37xTc
Confirming the news on social media, the team said it was “devastated” by the loss.
“It’s with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of Dean Berta Vinales,” they wrote. “We’re devastated and, at this time, all of our thoughts are with Dean’s family. You’ll be sorely missed and never forgotten, Dean.”
Linares’ passing comes just months after 14-year-old Hugo Millan was killed after crashing during a race in Spain. In May, Swiss MotoGP rider Jason Dupasquier, who was 19, died after a crash involving two fellow riders during a qualifying session in Italy.
“We’re deeply saddened to report the loss of Dean Berta Viñales,” the official World Superbike Twitter account said.
“The World Superbike family sends love to his family, loved ones and his team. Your personality, enthusiasm, and commitment will be hugely missed. The whole motorcycle racing world will miss you, Dean. Ride in Peace.”
“Oh, not again. Such tragic news about Dean Berta Viñales. But how many times does this need to happen?” added a racing fan on social media.
“2006-2021,” wrote broadcaster BT Sport. “Following a serious incident in Jerez this morning, FIM Supersport 300 World Championship rider Dean Berta Vinales, cousin of MotoGP rider Maverick, has sadly passed away.”
The Vice-Chairman of Premier League side West Ham has told footballers to ignore “conspiracy theories” and accept a Covid vaccine – and taken aim at Qatar over the 2022 World Cup.
Outspoken Karren Brady is known as a female pioneer in English football who is unafraid to make her views abundantly clear – and now the reality TV businesswoman has blasted footballers for not coming forward more readily to endorse vaccination campaigns.
The influential 52-year-old baroness has expressed her misgivings with people who ignore the advice of Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, the UK’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer, and England manager Gareth Southgate to take a jab, accusing their critics of preferring to listen to “cranks on social media”.
“It’s bizarre that men are frightened to face a couple of needles when they are prepared to face the flailing boots of defenders,” Brady wrote in her column in newspaper The Sun, reacting to reports that the Premier League has the highest proportion of players reluctant to receive a vaccine, with up to 40% of stars rumored to have refrained from treatment.
“Some players are reluctant to have it — believing that even if they get the virus, they are unlikely to be badly affected.
“Some are worried about the imagined detrimental long-term effects and a host of other conspiracy theories that are too ludicrous to repeat.
“All of the professional advice points otherwise. And while the Covid virus is known as a consistent killer of the elderly and weak, it is also a nasty threat to young people — footballers among them.”
Brady pointed to Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow, who became seriously ill with Covid and has since urged people to become vaccinated, as an example of the risks involved in avoiding being jabbed.
Reports this week have suggested that the organizers of the World Cup could bar players from taking part if they are not fully vaccinated, and Brady evidently backs that idea.
“I might be wrong but I suspect the FA will resolve to rule that all our World Cup squad will have to follow the example of players such as Raheem Sterling, who has announced publicly that he has been jabbed,” she claimed, adding that becoming vaccinated should be a matter of choice.
“Good for him. I just hope that others now follow suit and set an example.”
The life peer of the UK’s ruling Conservative party also issued a scathing appraisal of the decision to award the tournament to Qatar.
“Qatar practically bought the 2022 World Cup,” she alleged. “Most of the FIFA committee who voted for it have been charged in America with corruption or are, I suspect, currently thriving in mansions by the sea.
“Not only that: next season’s European and domestic calendar has been distorted by the World Cup.
“The tournament will now be held from November 21 to December 18 after it was discovered that the desert would be boiling hot in the summer. Really, you couldn’t invent it.”
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez appeared to dare Cristiano Ronaldo to take a decisive penalty at Old Trafford before he danced in front of Man United supporters after Bruno Fernandes missed the decisive spot-kick.
United had a golden opportunity to rescue a point after another below-par performance saw them trail to a late Kortney Hause header as the game ticked into stoppage time.
The usually infallible Fernandes, though, powered his 93rd-minute penalty deep into the Stretford End to cap a miserable afternoon for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.
One man who clearly enjoyed the situation was Villa’s Martinez. As soon as the penalty was awarded against his team, the Argentinian shot-stopper made it clear that he wanted Ronaldo to take the last-minute penalty.
While players gathered around the penalty spot, Martinez was captured on the broadcast pointing to Ronaldo in an apparent request that the two were to face-off in the game’s most crucial moment.
In the end, it seems that Fernandes’ status as United’s penalty taker hasn’t changed since Ronaldo’s return to the club in late August, and the Portugal star blasted his spot-kick over the bar, essentially confirming his team’s defeat.
Martinez’s trolling wasn’t done there. As soon as the ball flew over his bar, the former Arsenal ‘keeper immediately performed a cheeky dance in front of the Red Devils’ support in celebration of the game’s most decisive moment.
Fernandes, usually so assured from the spot, may well see his role as the club’s penalty taker in doubt – particularly given Ronaldo’s superstar status as a deadball specialist.
However, the five time Ballon d’Or winner has also missed his fair share of penalties throughout his career, coming up short with 28 of his 167 spot-kicks.
Solskjaer, who is facing another wave of dissent from Manchester United’s support following their third defeat in four games, said afterwards that he wasn’t keen on what he saw when Villas players – including Martinez – attempted to put pressure on the penalty taker.
“The way they get around the penalty spot, getting around Bruno and all that – that’s not to my liking but I do understand it. But it shouldn’t be that way,” the Norwegian said after the game.
Dominican Republic fighter Lenin Castillo was left unconscious and shaking on the canvas after suffering a brutal second-round KO against Callum Smith in their bout in London.
Fighting on the undercard of the blockbuster heavyweight showdown between home hero Anthony Joshua and Ukrainian star Oleksandr Usyk at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Smith and Castillo contested a light heavyweight bout which ended in brutal fashion in the second round when Smith caught his rival with a big right hand to the temple.
The blow sent Castillo onto the canvas, where his head rested against the ropes while his legs twitched uncontrollably.
The referee immediately waved off the fight as medical staff entered the ring to attend to the floored Castillo.
Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn updated fans by letting them know that Castillo was “responsive” but described the knockout as “brutal”.
Smith picked up a win on his light heavyweight debut in North London, bouncing back from his unanimous decision defeat to Mexican great Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in their WBC super-middleweight title fight in Texas last December – which remains Smith’s only defeat in 28 pro fights.
“That’s never nice to see… especially when it’s you involved in it,” the Liverpudlian told The Sportsman afterwards.
Glad to hear Castillo is conscious and talking, it’s a dangerous sport but nobody ever wants to really hurt someone, also well done Callum on a big statement in light heavyweight division
“It’s a sport at the end of the day and I always just hope that me and my opponent leave the ring safely.
“I’ve heard he’s responsive so, fingers crossed, everything’s OK – but no, it’s never nice to see. Obviously I wanted to win but you never want to win that way.”
Castillo’s worrying loss on Saturday night was his fourth in 26 professional outings, but fans will simply be hopeful that he makes a speedy recovery from his horror KO.
