Nick Kyrgios may skip Tokyo 2020 Olympics over Covid-19 restrictions

Five years after his ugly spat with Australia’s chef de mission Kitty Chiller, Nick Kyrgios is still undecided on whether he’ll compete at the Olympics.

Nick Kyrgios (left) had a bitter public spat with Australia's Chef de Mission for the Rio Olympics, Kitty Chiler. Pictures: File

Nick Kyrgios has cast doubt about competing at the Tokyo Olympics because of ever-tightening coronavirus restrictions being imposed by Japanese organisers.

In an announcement that has surprised Australian Olympic officials, Kyrgios revealed overnight (AEST) that he had entered the Atlanta Open tennis tournament, which coincides directly with the start of the Games on July 23.

Nick Kyrgios plays a backhand during his Wimbledon second round victory over Italy’s Gianluca Mager overnight. Picture: Getty Images

Kyrgios, 26, was speaking after his 7-6, 6-4, 6-4 Wimbledon second round victory over Italy’s Gianluca Mager on a day in which fellow Aussies Ash Barty, James Duckworth, Jordan Thompson and Alja Tomljanovic were all victorious.

While he said he had wanted to compete in the Olympics ever since he was a child, Kyrgios admitted to “tossing up my options”.

“I have also entered Atlanta as well,” he said, before adding: “I’ve heard some things about the Olympics that are very tough restrictions-wise, like no guests, none of that (fun) stuff.’’

Kyrgios said a factor in his decision would be how he was physically managing the Wimbledon tournament.

“I am trying to get through matches, Obviously physically I am struggling a lot. After that five-setter against (Ugo) Humbert, I had not really played a match for so long, I definitely pulled up very sore today. I thought I was going to struggle physically today to be honest.”

Kyrgios’ Tokyo indecision comes after his Rio Olympics drama five years ago, when he sledged chef de mission Kitty Chiller on social media and was dropped from the team for behaviour unbecoming of an Olympian.

Kitty Chiller statement regarding Nick Kyrgios making himself unavailable for selection.https://t.co/j0jxKi8wrxpic.twitter.com/upHa6NjtKH

— AUS Olympic Team (@AUSOlympicTeam) June 2, 2016

@kittychiller coming out of suspension? What on earth are you talking about? I was never under a suspension 😴😴😴

— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) May 13, 2016

“Look, I’m not even thinking that far,’’ Kyrgios said.

“Obviously with the outside noise of not having Kitty Chiller telling me you don’t deserve to be there when I was 13 in the world. I mean, it was laughable. Then I went back and forth. I was a bit younger back then. I got a bit personal. Then she was like, Kyrgios is done.

“It’s good to not have that outside noise now. If I choose to play, it’s good that I feel like I’m a part of the group, I’m more embraced now, which is good. Look, we’ve got a strong team. We’re sending a strong team.

“As I said, I’m just trying to get through this at the moment. I’ve got a lot on my plate.”