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An emotional Nick Kyrgios pulled out of the US Open Sunday, for “the hundreds of thousands of Americans who have lost their lives”, whereas pleading with gamers who attend to not be egocentric and act responsibly. His determination follows fellow Australian and world primary Ashleigh Barty final week withdrawing from the Grand Slam in New York, citing “significant risks” from the coronavirus pandemic. “Dear Tennis, I will not be playing this year at the US Open. It hurts me at my core,” Kyrgios, who has persistently known as out fellow opponents for not taking the virus severely sufficient, mentioned in a video posted on Twitter.
“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.”
More than 150,000 folks have died from COVID-19 within the United States, with over 4.5 million infections for the reason that starting of the pandemic.
The opinionated Kyrgios, ranked simply 40 however a serious drawcard, final month blasted the ATP as “selfish” for urgent forward with plans for the US Open, which is scheduled to start out on August 31.
He tempered criticism of organisers in a passionate letter learn throughout the video, saying he had “no problem” with it being held, citing the necessity to maintain folks similar to restaurant employees, cleaners, and locker room attendants in work.
But Kyrgios had robust phrases for among the high names within the recreation, in a veiled jab at those that took half in Novak Djokovic’s current ill-fated Adria Tour exhibition, the place there was minimal social distancing and gamers went nightclubbing.
“Tennis players, you have to act in the interests of each other and work together,” mentioned the Australian.
“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 opposite folks for as soon as, that is what this virus is about. It does not care about your world rating or how a lot cash you have got within the financial institution. Act responsibly.”
‘Stupidity’ blasted
Djokovic, Grigor Dimitrov, Borna Coric and Viktor Troicki all tested positive for COVID-19 after the Adria Tour and Kyrgios has since waged a running battle with some of those who played, including Alexander Zverev and Dominic Thiem, blasting their “stupidity” and risky behaviour.
The US Tennis Association (USTA) on Friday said they were confident in their safety plans for the event, which will take place in a bubble quarantine setting without spectators.
The tennis season has been at a standstill since mid-March due to the virus outbreak worldwide, with Wimbledon cancelled for the first time since World War II.
Calendars have been reshuffled with the WTA tour scheduled to restart on Monday in Palermo, Italy, although a player, who has not been officially identified, tested positive for coronavirus and pulled out.
The men are set to get back under way at the Western and Southern Open, a tune-up event for the US Open from August 20-28 in a quarantine environment without spectators at Flushing Meadows.
Promoted
World primary Djokovic, the reigning Wimbledon and Australian Open champion, and second-ranked Rafael Nadal, the present US Open champion, had been amongst entries for that occasion, signalling their possible intent to play the Grand Slam.
Serena Williams was additionally confirmed, however lacking from the entry checklist was Barty, world quantity two Simona Halep, the present Wimbledon champion, fifth-rated Elina Svitolina and final 12 months’s US Open champion, sixth-ranked Bianca Andreescu.
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