Nick Kyrgios has pulled out of the Rio Olympics

THE debate has been settled — Nick Kyrgios will not be going to Rio this year, and the fiery youngster has made it clear why.

Kyrgios won’t go to Brazil.

NICK Kyrgios has announced he will not be going to Rio for the 2016 Olympics.

The 21-year-old tennis star released a statement on Friday morning informing everyone of his decision.

Here is his statement in full:

“It is with a heavy heart that I have had to make a decision not to compete at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Coming to this decision has been a lengthy and difficult process, and I am extremely disappointed to have been put in this unfortunate position.

Representing Australia at the Olympic Games has been a dream of mine since I was a kid. Playing in the Olympics was a goal this year; I planned my tournament schedule around Rio and made sure to fulfil my Olympic eligibility. Unfortunately, while I have expressed every intention of trying to win a medal for my country in Rio, it’s very clear to me that the Australian Olympic Committee has other plans.

AOC’s unfair and unjust treatment of me over the last four weeks, as well as the organisation’s crystal clear position on whether they want me to be a part of the Australian Olympic team, has solidified my final decision.

While I have received assurances from Tennis Australia that I will be nominated for the Olympic team, the AOC has chosen to publicly and privately disparage me. Not one member of the AOC has reached out to me, my family, my team, or representatives of Tennis Australia, asking for a meeting or the opportunity to discuss their concerns. The AOC’s unwarranted attacks on me demonstrate the organisation’s inability to understand the circumstances surrounding highly competitive sports. I also don’t want the AOC’s treatment of me to become a distraction and negatively affect the Australian Olympic team.

He’s not everyone’s cup of tea.

I am grateful to Tennis Australia for standing by me through this process and nominating me for the team. I also want to thank the public and the members of the media who have voiced their support.

I am a proud Australian and have always loved representing my country. I am fortunate to be young enough to hopefully have a chance to wear the green and gold at the Olympics in the future. I hope that in four years I will find myself in the position to be a part of the Australian Olympic team.

I would like to wish every athlete representing Australia the best of luck this August and will be following their progress and supporting and cheering them from afar.”

There’s been plenty of speculation surrounding whether Kyrgios would be on the plane to Brazil later this year, with Australian Olympic team chef de mission Kitty Chiller putting the 21-year-old and compatriot Bernard Tomic on notice following behaviour she deemed unbecoming of Australian athletes.

Someone tell that Kitty chiller to watch that tweener lob, then she will understand why I'm on watch for the olympics lol #smh

— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) May 7, 2016

Chiller described Tomic’s antics in Madrid last month — where he intentionally tanked on match point against Fabio Fognini by holding his racquet the wrong way around — as “appalling”.

“I think it was appalling behaviour. It goes against every ... value that all the Olympians live by, it goes against everything that we’ve been trying to build in this team,” she said.

“I would not want to see any of our Olympic team members behave in that way.”

She then lumped Kyrgios in with Tomic.

“There’s a few athletes that are on watch and those two names (Kyrgios and Tomic) are among them. Every athlete is under the microscope now.”

Kyrgios then took a pot shot at Chiller after pulling off a “tweener” shot at the Madrid Open, implying his sheer talent alone should be enough to see him included in the Aussie team.

Chiller was not impressed.

“I think his comments (on social media) show maybe he doesn’t really know what it means to be an Australian Olympian,” she said.

“It’s not just about winning on the court, it is how you go about it.”

Tennis Australia last month backed the world No. 19’s recent behaviour, and indicated he would certainly be put forward for selection by the body. TA president Steve Healy said in a statement on Friday he was “disappointed that he (Kyrgios) has been put in this position”.

“We understand Nick’s decision and totally support him and his right to make it,” Healy said.

“But we are very disappointed that he has been put in this position.

“Nick is a passionate competitor and he’s working hard to learn and mature in a highly pressurised environment where he is under constant public scrutiny.

One less star going to Brazil.

“As we’ve said recently Nick’s performances this year have improved. His growing maturity is reflected in his on court performance, with only world No. 1 Novak Djokovic defeating more top ten players than Nick has this year.

“He has received support from a lot of other tennis players and athletes.

“But now Nick has made this difficult decision we should let him focus on his tennis without further distraction.”

Controversy follows Kyrgios around like an obedient puppy, and New York Times tennis writer called this latest development “a mess”.

Olympics matter to the Aussies. No Kyrgios. No Tomic. What a mess https://t.co/9rXI6WPB92

— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) June 2, 2016

The decision follows Tomic’s lead, who last month cited a demanding schedule as the reason he wouldn’t be going to the Olympics. Instead, he will play in a tournament in Mexico in August.

Chiller released a statement shortly after Kyrgios released the news on his website.

“According to his website, Nick Kyrgios, has made himself unavailable for selection on the 2016 Australian Olympic Team.

“Tennis Australia is due to nominate athletes to the AOC for selection on the 30th of June.

“The International Tennis Federation (ITF) rankings are released on June 6th. On the 9th of June the ITF will inform the AOC of eligible players.

“Tennis Australia will identify athletes for selection based on these rankings.

“At this point, Nick Kyrgios, or any other tennis athlete, has not been nominated for selection on the Australian Olympic Team.

“In regard to selection every athlete in contention is treated equally and fairly.

“We have no further comment on this issue.”