‘Are you a WTA player?’: Victoria Azarenka slams journalist Ben Rothenberg for sharing confidential email, Ben replies
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Victoria Azarenka
Controversies in tennis or in any sport for that matter are not something unheard of. However, the latest one has to be termed as one of a kind. The whole fiasco started when Novak Djokovic refused to talk about his vaccination status, and in reply, the Victorian authorities claimed that unvaccinated players will most probably not get visas to participate in the Australian Open.
It felt like defending champion Novak Djokovic will not get a chance to play for his 21st Grand Slam title in Australia next year. However, a recent email from Tennis Australia to WTA Player’s Council was leaked which clearly stated that even unvaccinated players will be allowed to feature in the competition.
The tennis world was shocked when the confidential email was leaked. Tennis reporter Ben Rothenberg shared the email which stated that unvaccinated players will be allowed to play in the Australian Open but they would have to serve a 14-day mandatory quarantine.
‘It’s my job Vika’: Ben Rothenberg replies after Victoria Azarenka reprimands him for leaking confidential email
In the email, it was clearly mentioned that players are advised to keep this information confidential until the government makes an official announcement but it was leaked anyway. As soon as it came out, Belarusian tennis star Victoria Azarenka reprimanded journalist Ben Rothenberg for making the email public.
“The fact that this was shared to players confidentially and within 2 hours Ben you are posting this. You clearly haven’t read the email. Unless I missed the point that you are a WTA player now?” Azarenka wrote on Twitter. In reply, Ben stated that it was his job. “Vika, this is my job. If you have an issue with it being leaked to me, and at least one other reporter, blame the leaker(s),” he wrote.
The mail states that the vaccinated players can arrive after December 1st and will have complete freedom of movement. On the other hand, the unvaccinated players will have to abide by all Covid-19 protocols, serve a 14-day quarantine, and will be tested regularly, but they won’t be forced to get vaccinated.
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Shubham Bhargava
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