‘Taken out of context' - Nick Kyrgios clarifies controversial comments, denies he wants Australian Open 2022 cancelled

ByAlexander Netherton

Published 16/11/2021 at 09:10 GMT

Speaking on his new 'No Boundaries' podcast, Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios said that he does not think that the 2022 Australian Open should go ahead. He has since taken to social media to explain that his comments were taken out of context about the upcoming tournament that will require extensive Covid-related restrictions.

Nick Kyrgios has denied that he wants the Australian Open to be cancelled.

The Australian player had said on his No Boundaries podcast that: "I don't think the next Australian Open should take place."

However, on social media he clarified his comments.

Tennis

'Back on court' - Kyrgios teases tennis return and interview with Djokovic

22/03/2024 at 13:53

• 'Without Federer, there's no Djokovic or Nadal' - Kyrgios on 'Michael Jordan of tennis'
• Sakkari through to WTA finals semis after thrilling win over Sabalenka
• Djokovic in stitches as he gives Zlatan the perfect welcome in Turin

"To say that I'd want to [have the] Australian Open cancelled. I think that was the sentence that got taken out of context," Kyrgios said on Instagram.

"Tennis has been such a big part of my life for 15 years plus. I've given myself a lot of sacrifices every single day for this sport and I love it.

"It's more so for the people of Melbourne who have gone through hell and back. It's been 275 days, nearly 300 days of lockdown and your freedom has been taken away from you."

Watch the moment Boston Celtics superfan Kyrgios walks out at TD Garden

The 26-year-old Australian had also said it was ‘morally wrong’ for athletes to be forced to take the coronavirus vaccine.

“Kyrie [Irving, NBA player who refuses to be vaccinated], Novak… These guys gave so much, they sacrificed so much," Kyrgios said.

"They are international athletes admired by millions of people. I think it is morally wrong to force someone to be vaccinated.

“I'm double vaccinated, but you can't force someone to be vaccinated or say ‘you can't play here because you're not vaccinated’. There are other solutions, like being tested every day.

"They have rapid tests in the United States, it happens in Australia. It's 85 per cent effective and you get the result in 15 minutes."

Kyrgios went on to suggest alternatives for athletes.

"There's other solutions around it, to get tested every day, in the [United] States they've got rapid tests and it's coming to Australia," he said.

"[It's an] 85 per cent success rate, it takes 15 minutes. You wait 15 minutes and you get a negative test and I think then you're allowed to play.

"If they just know they're going to be tested every day, every second day, they're not going to be lying about their vaccination status."

---

Stream the 2022 Australian Open live and on demand on discovery+

‘Hard to reflect on my achievements’ – Djokovic after winning 37th Masters title

Tennis

'He is LeBron' - Kyrgios likens Djokovic to NBA star after Gasquet compares him to Jordan

07/02/2024 at 12:09

Tennis

Female sports journalists must 'brace themselves' for sexist stereotypes, Hill tells Kyrgios

06/02/2024 at 21:43

Tennis

Kyrgios says familiarity makes it 'hard to get an edge' in tennis

05/02/2024 at 18:48