THIEM-KYRGIOS FEUD HEATS UP

We have to learn from the mistakes and be careful with this pandemic we are facing

BERLIN, Germany (AFP) — World No. 3 Dominic Thiem said tennis players “must learn” from the ill-fated Adria Tour and described Nick Kyrgios’ criticism of those who took part as “unnecessary.”

Thiem played in the Belgrade leg of last month’s ill-fated tournament organized by world No. 1 Novak Djokovic.

“We have to learn from the mistakes and be careful with this pandemic we are facing. That’s what we have to take from the Adria Tour,” Thiem told reporters in an exhibition tournament in Berlin.

Djokovic, Grigor Dimitrov, Borna Coric and Viktor Troicki all then tested positive for coronavirus.

Djokovic later apologized for the event where players embraced across the net and later partied together at a nightclub.

Thiem tested negative for the virus but like all those involved faced fierce criticism and has already apologized.

“Novak and the others didn’t commit any crimes, you have to make that point,” Thiem added.

“The fact we were criticized is not unfair because we all made mistakes. That’s clear.”

“But it was way too much at the end, because the whole tournament was well intended.”

Kyrgios has been highly critical of anyone who played in the Adria Tour, which he branded a “boneheaded decision” to hold with such little regard for hygiene.

The outspoken Australian then branded Alexander Zverev “selfish” for partying despite promising to self-isolate following a negative test after playing on the Adria Tour.

Thiem and Kyrgios traded insults last week on social media over Zverev’s behavior.

Kyrgios and Zverev have pulled out of the Berlin event, which started on Monday amid strict hygiene guidelines with organizers promising “there will be no player parties here.”

Zverev said he skipped Berlin to train more while Kyrgios pulled out amid travel concerns from Australia where the pandemic has worsened with Melbourne back in lockdown.