Nick Kyrgios ‘embarrassed’ by Australia’s handling of Novak Djokovic fiasco

Nick Kyrgios has taken aim at Australian authorities their handling of the Novak Djokovic saga and provided an update on his Covid symptoms and hopes of playing the Aus Open.

Nick Kyrgios says he has no symptoms and will hopefully be right for the Australian Open.

Nick Kyrgios says he feels “embarrassed as an Australian athlete” in the wake of Novak Djokovic being detained.

The Australian, who yesterday (Monday) confirmed he had contracted Covid and is in doubt for the Australian Open, slammed the manner in which the Djokovic visa saga has been handled.

The world No 1 remains in Australia after winning a court hearing which quashed Border Force’s decision to revoke his visa.

Djokovic was held in a detention hotel for four nights before his case went in front of a judge.

“With everything going on with Novak, I feel quite embarrassed as an Australian athlete that’s seen what this guy has done for us and for the sport,” Kyrgios said on Instagram.

“I just don’t think it’s right how we’re handling it.”

It remains to be seen if Djokovic will contest the Australian Open with the Federal Government still deciding if they will re-detain and deport him.

Documents have emerged that suggest the Serb lied on his travel documents to enter Australia.

Kyrgios’s place in the draw also remains under a cloud after he tested positive for Covid after experiencing breathing issues and withdrawing from his warm-up event in Sydney.

Assuring his fans he was on the mend, the 26-year-old added: “I actually don’t feel too bad at the moment. I’m taking all necessary precautions. Obviously not ideal a week out from the #AusOpen, but I’m doing everything in my power to feel okay and get out there.”

The virus has ripped through the tournament’s qualifying event.

Just seven days out from the year’s first grand slam, the 26-year-old revealed that symptoms developed in recent days had been confirmed as Covid on Monday.

“Hey everyone, I just want to be transparent with everyone,” Kyrgios wrote on Instagram.

“The reason I have had to pull out of Sydney is because I tested positive for Covid.

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Nick Kyrgios says he has no symptoms and will hopefully be right for the Australian Open.

“I am feeling healthy at the moment with no symptoms. I wish everyone all the best and to stay safe where you can. If all goes well I will see you all at the Australian Open.”

By Tuesday morning, Portugal’s Nuno Borges joined American youngster Jenson Brooksby in withdrawing from the Australian Open due to positive Covid-19 tests.

Brooksby had been expected to make his Australian Open debut, but tested positive before boaridng a flight to Melbourne - while Borges was a last-minute withdrawal from qualifying just before his scheduled match against Belgium’s Ruben Bemelmans.

Very sad stuff.

Nuno Borges tested positive for covid-19 and is a last-minute withdrawal at the #AusOpen qualifying.

He traveled all the way just for this event. It would be his first Grand Slam tournament.

— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 10, 2022

In recent weeks, the likes of Rafael Nadal, Andrey Rublev and Denis Shapovalov, in the men’s draw, and women Belinda Bencic, Emma Raducanu and Ons Jabeur, have all tested positive - but are expected to have recovered in time to compete in Melbourne.

Kyrgios withdrew from the Sydney Tennis Classic on Monday after battling illness and asthma in recent days.

Should he complete his seven-day isolation in time for next Monday’s Australian Open he could yet play, albeit under a significant fitness cloud and having not played a professional match since September.

The Canberran withdrew from the Sydney Tennis Classic on Monday after battling illness and asthma in recent days.

He had been scheduled to play in the Melbourne Summer Set last week but withdrew due to his illness.

“I have been feeling really run down and unwell for four days. I have had several Covid-19 tests over the last few days, which all came back negative,” Kyrgios said last week.

Nick Kyrgios reveals his Covid positive to fans on his instagram account.

“I don’t feel 100 per cent so I need to take this week to be ready for Sydney next week.

“I was really looking forward to experiencing the best fans in the world here at home! I can’t wait to get back out there and see you all.

“Take care out there and see you soon.”

Kyrgios said this week that he had been feeling “lethargic, sleepy” and had feared that he had contracted the disease.

“I was feeling pretty average,” he said.

“I was pretty much in bed for three, four days, sleeping a lot.

“I struggled to breathe and was testing with these rapid tests and all this other stuff. I was testing a lot, came back negative every single time.”