Nick Kyrgios withdraws from US Open and pleads with tennis players to stop being selfish
Nick Kyrgios has written an emotional letter to tennis to announce he won’t play at the US Open and to plead with fellow players to stop being selfish. Read the full letter and watch the video.
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An emotional Nick Kyrgios has withdrawn from this year’s US Open and slammed selfish players in a passionate letter amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kyrgios, the world No.40, has pleaded with fellow tennis players to stop being selfish and act responsibly amid a virus that does not discriminate.
He joins fellow Australian and word No.1 Ash Barty in pulling out of the Grand Slam.
“Let us take a breath here and remember what is important, which is health and safety as a community,” Kyrgios said in a video for Uninterrupted.
“We can rebuild our sport and the economy but we can never recover lives lost.
READ NICK KYRGIOS’ FULL LETTER BELOW AND WATCH THE VIDEO IN THE PLAYER ABOVE
“It hurts me at my core not to be out there competing at one of the sports’ greatest arenas, Arthur Ashe Stadium. But I’m sitting out for the people, for my Aussies, for the hundreds and thousands of Americans who have lost their lives. For all of you.
“I’ve got no problem with the USTA putting on the US Open and if players want to go, that’s up to them so long as everyone acts appropriately and acts safely. No one wants people to keep their jobs more than me.”
Kyrgios has been outspoken in his criticism of fellow players including world No.1 Novak Djokovic, who have been flouting COVID-19 rules and restrictions.
Djokovic and fellow players, including former world No.3 Grigor Dimitrov, contracted the virus in June after Djokovic organised an exhibition tournament, the Adria Tour, in Croatia and Serbia.
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Kyrgios again took aim at the world No.1 and world No.7 Alexander Zverev, who also played in the ill-fated tournament, was filmed partying and dancing in a bar in the French Riviera only days after Djokovic and Dimitrov tested positive.
“Tennis players, you have to act in the interests of each other and work together. You can’t be dancing on tables, money-grabbing your way around Europe or trying to make a quick buck hosting the next exhibition. That’s just so selfish. Think of the other people for once. That’s what this virus is about. It doesn’t care about your world ranking or how much money you have. Act responsibly,” Kyrgios said.
Kyrgios has won widespread praise for his leadership during the global pandemic.
The Aussie has consistently called out fellow competitors for flouting rules and not setting a good example, including slamming Djokovic for his “stupidity” during the Adria Tour debacle.
Only days ago Kyrgios hit back at criticism from Borna Coric, who also tested positive during Djokovic’s tournament, for being outspoken and calling out fellow players.
The US Open is slated to begin on September 1 in New York and is set to be just the second major tournament to be played this year after the French Open was postponed and Wimbledon was cancelled.
The French Open, which is usually begins in late May, has been rescheduled to run from September 27-11 October.
NICK KYRGIOS’ FULL LETTER AS HE WITHDRAWS FROM US OPEN
Dear Tennis,
Let us take a breath here and remember what is important, which is health and safety as a community.
We can rebuild our sport and the economy but we can never recover lives lost.
I’ve got no problem with the USTA putting on the US Open and if players want to go, that’s up to them so long as everyone acts appropriately and acts safely. No one wants people to keep their jobs more than me. I’m speaking for the guy who works at the restaurant, the cleaners, the locker room attendants. These are the people that need their jobs back the most and fair play to them.
But tennis players, you have to act in the interests of each other and work together. You can’t be dancing on tables, money-grabbing your way around Europe or trying to make a quick buck hosting the next exhibition. That’s just so selfish. Think of the other people for once. That’s what this virus is about. It doesn’t care about your world ranking or how much money you have. Act responsibly.
To those players that have been observing the rules and acting selflessly, I say good luck to you. Play at your own risk – and I have no problem with that.
I will not be playing this year at the US Open.
It hurts me at my core not to be out there competing at one of the sports’ greatest arenas, Arthur Ashe Stadium. But I’m sitting out for the people, for my Aussies, for the hundreds and thousands of Americans who have lost their lives. For all of you.
It is my decision, like it or not, and those are my reasons.
Yours sincerely,
Nick
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Nick Kyrgios withdraws from US Open and pleads with tennis players to stop being selfish
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Originally published as Nick Kyrgios withdraws from US Open and pleads with tennis players to stop being selfish