Kyrgios bows out of US Open ‘for the people’

AN emotional Nick Kyrgios has withdrawn from this year’s US Open and slammed selfish players in a passionate letter amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kyrgios, the world No. 40, has pleaded with fellow tennis players to stop being selfish and act responsibly during a virus that does not discriminate.

He joins fellow Australian and world No. 1 Ash Barty in pulling out of the grand slam.

“Let us take a breath here and remember what is important, which is health and safety as a community,” Kyrgios said in a video for Uninterrupted.

“We can rebuild our sport and the economy but we can never recover lives lost.

“It hurts me at my core not to be out there competing at one of the sports’ greatest arenas, Arthur Ashe Stadium.

“But I’m sitting out for the people, for my Aussies, for the hundreds and thousands of Americans who have lost their lives. For all of you.

“I’ve got no problem with the USTA putting on the US

Open and if players want to go, that’s up to them, so long as everyone acts appropriately and acts safely.”

Kyrgios has been outspoken in his criticism of fellow players, including world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, who have flouted COVID-19 rules.

Djokovic and fellow players contracted the virus in June after Djokovic organised an exhibition tournament in Croatia and Serbia.

Kyrgios again took aim at the world No. 1 and world No. 7 Alexander Zverev, who also played in the tournament and was filmed dancing in a bar in the French Riviera only days after Djokovic tested positive.

“Tennis players, you have to act in the interests of each other,” Kyrgios said. “You can’t be dancing on tables, moneygrabbing your way around Europe or trying to make a quick buck hosting the next exhibition. That’s just so selfish.”

The US Open is slated to begin on September 1 in New York and is set to be just the second major tournament to be played this year.