I’m sitting out US Open

Kyrgios joins Barty in withdrawing from Slam

AN emotional Nick Kyrgios pulled out of the US Open on Sunday, for “the hundreds of thousands of Americans who have lost their lives”, while pleading with players who attend to act responsibly.

His decision follows fellow Australian and world No.1 Ash Barty last week withdrawing from the Grand Slam in New York, citing “significant risks” from the world pandemic.

“Dear Tennis, I will not be playing this year at the US Open. It hurts me at my core,”

Kyrgios, who has consistently called out fellow competitors for not taking the virus seriously enough, said in a video 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 people have died from COVID-19 in the US, with over 4.5 million infections since the beginning of the pandemic.

The opinionated Kyrgios, ranked just 40 but a major drawcard, last month blasted the ATP as “selfish” for pressing ahead with plans for the US Open, which is scheduled to start on August 31.

He tempered criticism of organisers in a passionate letter read during the video, saying he had “no problem” with it being held, citing the need to keep people such as restaurant workers, cleaners, and locker room attendants in work. But Kyrgios had strong words for some of the top names in the game, in a veiled jab at those who took part in Novak Djokovic’s ill-fated Adria Tour exhibition, where there was minimal social distancing and players went nightclubbing.

“Tennis players, you have to act in the interests of each other and work together,” said 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.”