Nick Kyrgios lashes Novak Djokovic’s Covid ‘albatrosses’

Nick Kyrgios has thrown another brickbat in the direction of Novak Djokovic ahead of the US Open.

Novak Djokovic is among a handful of players who have rented a house, but those in private residences are guarded by 24-hour security monitored by the US Open officials to ensure there are no biosecurity breaches. Picture: AFP

Nick Kyrgios has skewered world No 1 Novak Djokovic for shirking responsibility for the impact the ill-fated Adria Tour had in spreading coronavirus through the Balkan Peninsula.

Djokovic, who is in New York for the relocated Cincinnati Masters and US Open, likened the treatment he received following the cancellation of the tour amid widespread condemnation in June to a “witch hunt”.

A commanding favourite to win an 18th major title New York given the absence of defending champion Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, the Serbian has fully recovered from the virus.

He was among a group of players including Grigor Dimitrov who contracted COVID-19 while hosting an exhibition tour for charity in Croatia and Serbia that ultimately proved dangerous.

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Djokovic was fatigued for a few days and his sense of taste and smell were dulled, but he has rebounded strongly after initial concerns about his famed stamina when practising.

The eight-time Australian Open champion is adamant he would do it all again, he told The New York Times on Thursday, stating the intentions behind the Adria Tour were good.

“When someone from Australia or America looks at what was happening in Serbia, they’re like, ‘Oh my God. I mean, are you crazy? What are these people doing?’ So I really understand,” he said.

“I don’t feel like I’ve done anything bad, to be honest. I do feel sorry for the people who were infected. Do I feel guilty for anybody who was infected from that point onward in Serbia, Croatia and the region? Of course not. It is like a witch hunt, to be honest. How can you blame one individual for everything?”

Kyrgios, who is among several players including Ash Barty who have skipped the US swing for health reasons, was an ardent critic of the behaviour of Adria Tour players in June.

His response to Djokovic’s claims on Friday was damning.

Above a photo of Djokovic and other players including Alexander Zverev and Dominic Thiem hugging, he wrote; “Scary that people take zero ownership. Group of albatrosses.”

The responsibility of players over the next two months as the tour returns is critical to the sports survival through the COVID-19 era, according to Australian star John Millman.

John Millman arrived in New York via Doha last week. Picture: Brendan Radke

The Queenslander arrived in New York last week via Doha with some apprehension but is pleased with the COVID-19 protocols the US tournament officials have in place.

Djokovic is among a handful of players who have rented a house, but those in private residences are guarded by 24-hour security monitored by the US Open officials to ensure there are no “bubble” breaches.

Millman is among the many staying in a hotel hub in Garden City, Long Island, dubbed “Alcatraz” by a local newspaper.

Having stayed there in the past when on a leaner budget, Millman said he was intrigued to see how peers used to staying in more luxurious surroundings handled the hub.

But he also said it was vital all players followed the protocols and not only to minimise the risk of contracting and spreading the viral infection. With the French Open next month and the Australian season just over four months away, tennis officials are hopeful the measures put in place in America prove successful.

Millman said he had discussed the situation with Craig Tiley, the Tennis Australia chief executive and Australian Open tournament director, and understood the broader implications.

It’s gone past him running this tournament, it’s now at him being in denial about being the reason for the infections.

His followers are going to come after me but @DjokerNole PULL YOUR HEAD IN!!

Just admit you were wrong, it’s actually frightening!

Listen to @NickKyrgios https://t.co/FgQtBKhg60

— Val Febbo (@VFebbo96) August 21, 2020

I can confirm currently during my stopover in Doha that travel is very different beast these days 😯 https://t.co/9TNsf2eeJX pic.twitter.com/CEPs35IY86

— John Millman (@johnhmillman) August 15, 2020

“It is really important that the players set a good example,” he told The Weekend Australian.

“When (Tennis Australia) is going to the government to get exemptions for players, they need the players to be setting a good example.

“I think it is a really important time for tennis and I hope all the tennis players take this extremely seriously.”

Qualifying action for Cincinnati is under way, with Australians Jordan Thompson and Astra Sharma posting strong wins to mark their return to the tour.

Flushing Meadows has been transformed for the next three weeks of tennis, though both the Cincinnati event and US Open will be held without fans.

That is one of the options for the Australian Open depending on the COVID-19 situation.