Nick Kyrgios backtracks on comments suggesting that the Australian Open should be cancelled

Team World's Nick Kyrgios, of Australia, laughs with teammates on the bench as they watch Team World's John Isner, of the USA, compete against Team Europe's Alexander Zverev, of Germany, during Laver Cup tennis in Boston. Photo: AAP via AP/Elise Amendola)

17 November 2021 10:47am

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Greek-Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios caused a stir on Tuesday when he declared that the Australian Open should not go ahead in January if it meant forcing competitors to be double vaccinated against COVID-19.

“I don’t think the Oz Open should go ahead, in my opinion. Just for the people in Melbourne, like, you’ve got to send a message,” Kyrgios said on his podcast No Boundaries.

“Like, how long did you guys do in lockdown? Two-hundred and 75 days or something?”

Kyrgios said he was double-vaccinated but was opposed to forcing others to follow suit.

“I’m double-vaxxed but I just don’t think it’s right to force anyone, yet an athlete, (and say) you can’t come here and play because you’re not vaccinated,” he said.

“(NBA star) Kyrie (Irving), Novak, these guys have given so much, sacrificed so much.

“They’re global athletes who millions of people look up to and I just feel like it’s so morally wrong to force someone to get vaxxed.

“There’s other solutions around it.”

Tennis Australia was upset by this stance, and there was a backlash to his comments by government officials, other players and fans, which caused the tennis ace to backtrack on his comments and align himself with the views of Victoria’s government.

“Obviously I don’t want the Australian Open cancelled,” Kyrgios said in an Instagram post.

“To say I want it cancelled is not what I meant.

“But, at the same time, I want it done correctly and I’m sure Tennis Australia and the City of Melbourne will be looking out for people’s best interests when the Australian Open goes ahead.”