‘Morally wrong’: Kyrgios’ surprise vaccination claim

Nick Kyrgios has spoken publicly about rival Novak Djokovic’s vaccination mystery in a shock declaration about the Australian Open.

Nick Kyrgios. Photo by Casey Sykes/Getty Images.

Nine months after labelling Novak Djokovic a “tool”, Australian Nick Kyrgios has gone public with support for the world No. 1’s vaccination stance.

The Serbian champion said earlier this month he is yet to decide if he will travel to Australia for the 2022 Australian Open, beginning January 17, as he continues to refuse to reveal his vaccination status.

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Kyrgios this week published the latest episode of his No Boundaries podcast where he made a shock declaration that the Open in January should be scrapped.

“I don’t think the Aus Open should go ahead, just for the people in Melbourne – you’ve got to send a message,” Kyrgios said.

“How long did (Melbourne) do in lockdown? 275 days or something?”

Kyrgios has been one of the loudest voices in tennis supporting vaccinations, border restrictions and Covid-19 health protocols both on the ATP Tour and in public life — but his comments this week appear to show a shift of perspective.

It comes after he clipped Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews in August for a suggestion the leader took things too far in a health announcement at the time. Kyrgios called it “ridiculous”.

Andrews is also standing firm on a policy that only fully vaccinated players, staff and fans will be allowed to attend the 2022 event at Melbourne Park.

Nick Kyrgios at Wimbledon. Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images.

Kyrgios says on the podcast it is “morally wrong” to force people like Djokovic to get vaccinated against Covid-19.

He compared Djokovic’s situation to the one being experienced by Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving, who has been stood down by his team over a vaccination refusal which bans him from training or playing with the team within New York City limits.

“Kyrie, Novak … These guys have given so much, sacrificed so much. They are global athletes who millions of people look up to,” Kyrgios said.

“I just think it is so morally wrong to force someone to be vaccinated.

“I’m double vaccinated, but I just don’t think it’s right to force anyone (to be vaccinated) and say ‘you can’t come and play here because you’re not vaccinated’.

“There are other solutions around it, (such as) to get tested every day. In the States I know they’ve got rapid tests, and it’s coming to Australia. It’s 85 per cent success rate, you wait 15 minutes and then you’re allowed to play.”

Kyrgios earlier this year called Djokovic a “tool” over his complaints surrounding the two week hotel quarantine periods players from overseas faced prior to the 2021 Australian Open.

Djokovic had reportedly sent a list of demands to tournament organisers, including allowing players to move to private homes with tennis courts.

Nick Kyrgios isn’t keen on Melbourne in January. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images.

Kyrgios also criticised many of his fellow tennis players — including Djokovic and Alexander Zverev — when they were caught flouting the rules or breaching restrictions.

Nine-time Australian Open champion Djokovic has said his decision to compete in Melbourne will not be made until a final decision is reached following ongoing talks between Tennis Australia and Andrews’ government.

“I am going to decide on whether I go to Australia after I see an official statement from Tennis Australia,” Djokovic said.

“There has been no official announcement or statement and until that is out I won’t be talking about this any more.

“I do not want to be part of the stories about the assumptions and what ifs. “When the official conditions and requirements to travel and play in Australia are out I will see what I personally do and also the bigger group of players as obviously the situation is different in Australia to most parts of the world.”