ANGRY NICK SAYS DJOK IS A ‘TOOL’

NICK KYRGIOS has branded Novak Djokovic “a tool” after the world No.1 demanded a relaxation of quarantine rules for tennis stars before the Australian Open.

At least 72 of the 390 players – including British No.2 Heather Watson – are in hard lockdown following positive Covid tests on specially-chartered flights Down Under. They will be unable to leave their hotel rooms for a fortnight.

Djokovic (above) has written to Tennis Australia to request reduced quarantine times for players in exchange for more testing – and access to gym equipment.

But the Serb’s move has caused a backlash in a country which has suffered months of strict lockdown. Vanessa Sierra, girlfriend of Aussie star Bernie Tomic and a former Love Island contestant, has also taken to social media to complain about being confined to a room. “There is only one bathroom. I have never pooped in front of Bernard. I haven’t broken that barrier in the relationship yet, and I hope I don’t have to.”

Aussie star Kyrgios (circle) took to Twitter for an angry response.

“Djokovic is a tool,” he said. “I don’t mind Bernie but his missus obviously has no perspective, ridiculous scenes.” There is no love lost between Kyrgios and Djokovic – and the Aussie claimed that going ahead with Djokovic’s Adria Tour in the middle of the pandemic last summer was a “bonehead decision”.

Other Aussies queued up to put the boot into Djokovic. The nation’s former No.1 Sam Groth said: “Novak Djokovic and his list of demands – is he serious?

“It’s a selfish political move to gain popularity and, given his behaviour at the Adria Tour, where he and several other players contracted and spread the virus, I’d say he’s probably the last person anyone is going to be taking Covid advice from.”

And world No.70 Arina Rodionova tweeted: “I am actually very embarrassed to be a tennis player these days. If anyone asks, I am a full-time gardener and a cleaner on the weekends.”

The rescheduled first Grand Slam of the season is set to start in Melbourne on February 8.