Nick Kyrgios posts a rather heartfelt video stating that he will not compete at the upcoming US Open. The Australian stressed the fact that he has no problems with USTA staging the slam, but it’s his decision to stay safe in Australia.
Kyrgios also asked the tennis players to behave properly and not to create any risk for the people involved.
“Let’s take a breath here and remember what’s important, which is health and safety as a community. We can re-build our sport and the economy but we can never recover lives lost. I have got no problem with the USTA putting on the US Open and if players want to go, that’s up to them, so long as everyone acts appropriately and acts safely. No-one wants people to keep their jobs more than me. I am speaking for the guy who works in the restaurants, the cleaners and the locker room attendants. These are the people who need their jobs back the most and fair play to them.
But tennis players – we have to act in the interests of each other and work together. You can’t be dancing on tables, money-grabbing your way around Europe or trying to make a quick buck, hosting an exhibition. That’s just so selfish. Think of the other people for once. That’s what this virus is about.”
“It doesn’t care about your world ranking or how much money you have. Act responsibly.To those players who have been observing the rules and acting selflessly, I say good luck to you. Play at your own risk, and I have no problem with that.
I will not be playing this year at the US Open. It hurts me at my core not to be out there competing in one of the sport’s greatest arenas Arthur Ashe Stadium. But I’m sitting out for the people, for my Aussies, for the hundreds of thousands of Americans who have lost their lives, for all of you. It is my decision, like it or not. And those are my reasons.”
Nick Kyrgios in 2020
Ranked no.40, the Australian played his last match on the 25th of February when he had to retire when playing against Ugo Humbert in the 1st round and the scoreline was 6-3 .