Tennis champ Andy Murray sure knows how to set the cat among the pigeons as he joked he’d received his ‘third microchip’ this week.
Musing on his booster shot of the Covid vaccine ahead of the Australian Open next month, Andy thought he’d share a little gag on social media that has unsurprisingly tickled followers.
He wrote on Sunday: ‘Got my 3rd microchip injected into me today🤨.’
This appeared to be a, er, jab at anti-vaxxers who have frequently shared incorrect theories alleging the Covid vaccine is used to implant ‘microchips’ into people, despite these claims repeatedly being debunked by experts.
Still, the gravity of the Covid vaccine rollout wasn’t lost on the sports star as he went on: ‘Joking aside..science is the best.
‘Thank you scientists, thank you doctors and health care workers for the incredible work you are doing.’
This prompted a massive response from his fans, as many praised Andy for sharing the post and thanking scientists and healthcare workers as well.
Sports Illustrated’s Jon Wertheim responded on Twitter: ‘This is what leadership looks like….’ as broadcaster Neroli Meadows encouraged: ‘Be like Andy.’
Another mused: ‘Publicly saying he got his vaccine/booster and thanking those fighting on the front lines to keep people safe. No choice but to continue to stan.’
Actress Brooklyn Decker replied: ‘I wonder if our third chips can transmit signals to each other @andyroddick ??’ as her husband and former tennis champ Andy Roddick chimed in: ‘Depends on what chip you get.’
Others mentioned Novak Djokovic after Andy’s fellow tennis ace previously refused the share his vaccine status, and hit out at rules ahead of the Australian Open stipulating those who want to compete must be vaccinated, recently saying ‘you should have the freedom to choose’.
In line with Andy’s post, though, he was met with ridicule, as he was accused of posting his message as an ‘ad for pharma’, while another suggested the ‘government are using you all as guinea pigs’.
Andy’s move comes after Australian Open organisers confirmed all players will have to be vaccinated to take part in the year’s first grand slam, which is due to kick off on January 17, with the former World No 1 encouraging more players to get vaccinated.
He recently said during a news conference: ‘My understanding is if you’re unvaccinated you’re still allowed to play, it’s just the rules are going to be different.
‘You might just have to leave (for Australia) a few weeks earlier than everyone else. That’s the player’s choice. If the local government puts that in place then I would support that.
‘It would be great if more players got vaccinated.
‘Australia in particular has been very, very strict over there. The public there have had to endure a painful 18 months or whatever.
‘If people are going to come into the country and potentially risk an outbreak in their community, yeah, that’s understandable.’
Novak’s participation remains in severe doubt, according to the world No 1’s father, with the player so far declining to reveal whether or not he is fully vaccinated.
Lashing out at the event, his father, Srdjan, recently told Serbia’s TV Prva that governing body Tennis Australia’s stance on players being vaccinated was tantamount to ‘blackmail’.
‘As far as vaccines and non-vaccines are concerned, it is the personal right of each of us whether we will be vaccinated or not. No one has the right to enter into our intimacy,’ news website B92 quoted Srdjan as saying.
‘Under these blackmails and conditions, [Djokovic] probably won’t [play]. I wouldn’t do that. And he’s my son, so you decide for yourself.’
Post a Comment