Australian Open 2022: Nick Kyrgios names Roger Federer as biggest influence on modern generation

Nick Kyrgios has taken to social media in a bid to clarify explosive comments about the Australian Open and the possibility of playing against unvaccinated players.

Kyrgios has voiced strong opinions on a range of topics on his new podcast. Picture: Getty

Nick Kyrgios has moved to clarify his comments about cancelling the 2022 Australian Open, claiming he was taken out of context.

Amid on going confusion over whether unvaccinated players will be allowed to contest the January slam, Kyrgios explained his comments were made in solidarity with the people of Melbourne who “have been through hell”.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews is currently holding firm on a refusal to grant exemptions to unvaccinated players to take part in next year’s Australian Open, causing a stoush between state and federal authorities — and casting doubt over the availability of the likes of Djokovic, who refuses to reveal his vaccination status.

Nick Kyrgios has moved to clarify his 2022 Australian Open comments, claiming he was taken out of context.

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“Hey guys, first of all I wanted to clear up a couple of things. I started a podcast and some things have been taken out of context regarding the Australian Open. I want to clear it up,” he said.

“Tennis has been such a big part of my life for 15-years plus, I have sacrificed a lot for this sport. I love it.

“To say that I would want the Aus Open cancelled, that was the sentence that got taken out of context. It’s more for the people of Melbourne who have been to hell and back. It’s almost 300 days of lockdown.

“Your freedom has been taken away from you, dont think it’s morally right to accept players from overseas who arent vaccinated to come into our country.

“The city of elbourne will be looking out for people’s best interests when the Australian open does go ahead but as I said I’ll always speak what I feel and right now I’m just standing up for the people.

“I think if the Australian Open goes ahead, and I bloody hope it does, I just want it to be done safely and the right way.

Australia's Nick Kyrgios has used his podcast to cast doubt on the 2022 Ausralian Open. Picture: AFP

Last summer, the tournament was pushed back a fortnight due to quarantine complications with the world’s best players, while crowds were banned from the stadiums midway through the tournament due to a Covid outbreak in the city.

While the outbreak was not connected to the tennis tournament, it sparked a snap city-wide five-day lockdown, forcing the Open behind closed doors before fans returned for the final days as Novak Djokovic and Naomi Osaka claimed the singles titles.

“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 on the podcast.

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

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews is currently holding firm on a refusal to grant exemptions to unvaccinated players to take part in next year’s Australian Open, causing a stoush between state and federal authorities — and casting doubt over the availability of the likes of Djokovic, who refuses to reveal his vaccination status.

Victoria’s Major Events minister Martin Pakula questioned the logic of Kyrgios’ comments when pressed on the topic on Tuesday.

“I really like Nick Kygrios. I cheer for him every time he plays,” he said.

“I certainly don’t want to have beef with Nick Kygrios.

“But I actually couldn’t follow the logic of the podcast. We’ve had a long lockdown so the Australian Open shouldn’t proceed?

“I’m not sure I follow, I think really the opposite applies.”

Mr Pakula said the event was needed for the economy and the state’s psyche.

“Melburnians, Victorians and frankly all Australians are absolutely gagging for major events,” he said.

“Everyone’s entitled to their view but it’s not one I share,” he said.

Nick Kyrgios believes Novak Djokovic shouldn’t be forced to be vaccinated. Picture: Getty

But Kyrgios, who is double-vaccinated and has held strong opinions on antics of Djokovic’s Covid-stance throughout the pandemic, showed some sympathy towards the world No.1 — with a reference to Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving, who has been sidelined for the start of the NBA season because of his refusal to get the vaccine.

“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% success rate, you wait 15 minutes and then you’re allowed to play.”

The Open is set to take place in Melbourne next January.

Kyrgios has voiced strong opinions on a range of topics on his new podcast. Picture: Getty

FRENCH IS THE WORST

Despite his calls for this year’s event to be wiped, Kyrgios is adamant the Australian Open is his favourite grand slam - but has little love for the clay courts of Paris, labelling the French Open ‘the worst f**king slam’.

“The Australian is my favourite slam with the home crowd, the pressure is so different,” he said.

“Everyone expects so much of you, I can’t do anything without the media being there - it’s brutal.

“The French would be terminated from the calendar completely, it’s the worst f*****g slam and I dont mind that it’s on dirt.

“Wimbledon is great, the prestige, the white jackets, even if you don’t like tennis you know what Wimbledon is.”

Kyrgios doesn’t mind the clay... but is no fan of the French Open. Picture: Getty

THE GOAT DEBATE

Kyrgios also weighed in on the debate about who is the greatest of all time — suggesting Djokovic needs to add only one more grand slam to take the crown off Roger Federer.

But for sheer influence on the the modern generation of stars, Federer stands above the rest according to the Australian.

“Federer for me is the GOAT he is the Michael Jordan of tennis,” he said.

“As a whole he has done the most forthe sport. Without Federer there is no (Rafael) Nadal or Djokovic.

“Those two guys were chasing him. The most influential player ever is Federer — Grigor (Dimitrov) models his game on him. For God’s sake I do Fed’s serve!

“But no other player plays like Novak. Right now it’s Fed but if Novak wins another slam ... Novak is so dominant, how many matches did he win in a row?”

The city of Philadelphia has let Simmons down, according to Kyrgios.

BEN SIMMONS SAGA

Ben Simmons is currently in the midst of an ugly break-up with his NBA team, the Philadelphia 76ers, and Kyrgios shared some insights into how his fellow Australian is coping.

Simmons is on the hunt for a trade out of Philadelphia after copping the brunt of the heat following the 76ers’ exit from last year’s playoffs - and Kyrgios says the team’s fans deserve much of the blame for how the saga has played out.

“I’ve had some dark days, someone like Simmons, everything he is going through, he is well known and has a lot of attention,” Kyrgios said.

“He’s on $US30 million plus a year and he’s been hard done by by that city. the fans booed him - it’s not an easy feeling to forget and just come back and play the next game.

“Athletes give so much, you want the fans to appreciate it and I dont think the city of Philly have done that.

“There’s no need to rinse someone’s dirty laundry in public. The media has turned the heat up on everything but Ben has worked so hard to get those contracts.”