Nick Kyrgios opts out of US Open due to COVID-19 fears

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

 

Tennis star Nick Kyrgios confirmed that he will be pulling out of the 2020 US Open and became one of the top-ranked players to withdraw from the prestigious tournament.

A week after women’s world no. 1 and fellow Australian Ashleigh Barty announced her withdrawal due to the same reason, Kyrgios also pointed out that he thinks it’s still not safe to go out with the virus still surging in the United States.

“Dear Tennis, I will not be playing this year at the US Open. 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,” said Kyrgios in a video he posted on Twitter.

Kyrgios has been consistent in calling out his fellow professional players for not practicing the safety protocols imposed, especially those who take the virus lightly.

One of the players he called out was Novak Djokovic who recently held a disastrous Adria Tour Exhibition that resulted in several players contracting COVID-19.

“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 in the bank. Act responsibly,” Kyrgios said to Djokovic.