How Nick 'beers over Grand Slams' Kyrgios is behind a push for the top players to BOYCOTT the U.S. Open - and why it's 'selfish' to go ahead
- Nick Kyrgios says it is 'selfish' for the US Open to go ahead during current events
- He said COVID-19 pandemic and Black Lives Matter protests are more important
- Kyrgios called on Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for support
- Federer will not be attending, Djokovic is unlikely to and Nadal is still undecided
- Aussie player John Millman agreed it was 'a little crazy' for the Open to go ahead
Not content with bagging 'overpaid' coaches, declaring he is 'too far gone' to change his ways and will probably never win a Grand Slam event, Australia's tennis wild-child Nick Kyrgios is trying to lead a boycott of the US Open.
And he is hoping to enlist the three biggest names in the game to his cause.
Kyrgios, who last week stunned the sporting world with a podcast interview in which he said he'd rather 'be on the beers' than take tennis seriously, labelled plans to start the US Open in New York on August 24 'selfish' and called for the event to be abandoned.
Despite a reputation for poor on-court behaviour, Kyrgios has also shown a strong social conscience. Early this year he earned kudos when he kick-started a campaign amongst top players to raise money for Australian bush-fire victims.
Now he has extended his scope to include COVID-19 and the Black Lives Matter movement.
Nick Kyrgios with Beatrice Bouchard, the model sister of tennis ace Eugenie Bouchard. Kyrgios said last week it would be 'selfish' for the US Open to go ahead in August amid the COVID-19 pandemic and Black Lives Matter protests
Kyrgios tweeted at The Big Three of professional tennis, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, asking them 'Do you think the US Open should go ahead?'
Late last week Kyrgios told his 375,000 Twitter followers, 'The ATP is trying to make the US Open go ahead. Selfish with everything going on at the moment. Obviously Covid, but also with the riots, together we need to overcome these challenges before tennis returns in my opinion.'
Two hours earlier he had messaged The Big Three of professional tennis, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, asking them 'Do you think the US Open should go ahead?'
While none replied publicly, Djokovic had already said he was unlikely to play the event because of restrictions over the number of support staff that players would be permitted to have with them. Nadal indicated he would monitor the coronavirus situation over the next few months before making a decision, and Federer ruled himself out due to injury.
But Kyrgios did receive support from fellow Aussie player John Millman, who tweeted, 'I love the US Open but it seems a little crazy that we're still contemplating playing a Grand Slam there, right?'
Kyrgios and Federer speak after the Rally for Relief Bushfire Appeal in January. Federer will not be playing at the US Open due to an injury, Djokovic said he is unlikely to attend and Nadal said he would monitor the coronavirus situation before making a decision
Kyrgios gives his reasoning as to why the US Open should be cancelled, saying that the COVID-19 pandemic and civil unrest in the US should take priority
Not everyone was in agreement. World number 28-ranked women's player, 18 year-old Amanda Anisimova – who partnered Kyrgios in mixed-doubles at the Australian Open in January – replied to Millman, 'I don't see why not give it a try.
'Of course there will be a ton of safety protocols in place, and many precautions made. Other sports are coming back, so why can't tennis? Playing without fans is a huge bummer but at least we get to play at all.'
Another female player was less diplomatic in her response, attacking Djokovic for his decision not to play.
Australian Open semi-finalist Danielle Collins said the world number one had a duty to the game – and the less financially secure players – to compete at Flushing Meadows.
Kyrgios wearing an 'equality' T-shirt in support of anti-racism movements across the world. 'Equality. F**k racism,' he captioned the post
Ranked 51 in the world, the American said Djokovic might be able to afford to boycott major events but less well-heeled players could not.
'No one has been able to play sanctioned events or make money since February,' she wrote. 'Here we have an awesome opportunity with the US Open talking about proceeding forward with the event, with some strict safety precautions to make sure all players feel safe and their health is put first.
'This is a massive opportunity for players to start making money again, and here we have the top player in the world saying only being able to bring one person with him will be too difficult.
'It's easy when someone's made $US150 million ($AUD 205m) throughout their career to try and tell people what to do with their money, and then turn down playing in the US Open.
'For those of us (most tennis players) who don't travel with an entourage, we actually need to start working again. It would be nice to have the best player in the world supporting this opportunity and not spoiling it for the players and the fans.'
Kyrgios hits a backhand against Russian Andrey Rublev during the US Open in 2019. Last week, Kyrgios stunned the sporting world by he'd rather 'be on the beers' than take tennis seriously
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