Canberra’s Nick Kyrgios has announced via a video that he will not take his place at the US Open.
The world no. 40 says that he supports the USTA in holding the tournament which is due to start on 31 August.
Kyrgios read from a letter via the @uninterrupted twitter profile and said “We can rebuild our sport and the economy but we can never recover lives lost.”
Kyrgios also said, “It hurts me at my core…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. “
Kyrgios again hit out at the irresponsible behaviour of Alexander Zverev saying, “
But tennis players, you 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 the next 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 that 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.”
World no. 1 women’s player Ash Barty had already announced that she won’t be competing at the US Open due to health concerns. 2011 US Open champion Sam Stosur also has announced she won’t be playing.
John Millman the world no. 43 men’s player said he needs to start making money again and he will travel to New York to take his place in the field at the US Open.
“I definitely have my safety concerns and potentially there are a few more questions I’d like to be answered because a couple of the tennis players have shown they can’t really be trusted with a bit of their behaviour,” Millman said.
“I probably need to start earning a living again, to be honest with you.”
Leave a Reply