Nick Kyrgios says the Australian Open should be cancelled and jumps to defence of Novak Djokovic

Nick Kyrgios says the Australian Open should be CANCELLED and sides with Novak Djokovic: ‘It’s wrong to force someone to be vaccinated’


Australian controversial tennis star Nick Kyrgios has called for the 2022 Australian Open to be cancelled due to Melbourne’s recent Covid-19 lockdowns.

The controversial star made the shock claim about the grand slam on his ‘No Boundaries’ podcast. 

Kyrgios also leapt to the defence of world number one Novak Djokovic, who may not be able to defend his Australian Open crown due to a new mandate for players to be vaccinated. 

Nick Kyrgios (pictured) has called for January’s Australian Open grand slam to be cancelled

‘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?’

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Kyrgios, who is fully vaccinated believed Djokovic should be able to compete, regardless of his vaccination status and make reference to US basketball star Kyrie Irving, who has missed the start of NBA season due to his refusal to get the jab.

He has previously been critical of Djokovic’s antics on the tennis circuit during pandemic.

‘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.’

 

Kyrgios leapt to the defence of world number one Novak Djokovic (pictured with wife Jelena) who may not be able to defend his Australian Open crown

 Kyrgios leapt to the defence of world number one Novak Djokovic (pictured with wife Jelena) who may not be able to defend his Australian Open crown

Despite calls for January’s tournament to be scrapped, Kyrgios still insists the Australian Open is his favourite grand slam and the French Open as ‘the worst f*****g 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.

Melbourne was plunged into a snap five day lockdown in the middle of this year’s Australian Open in February. The grand slam continued in empty arenas.

More to come. 

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