Nick Kyrgios Calls For Australian Open To Be Cancelled
NDTV
Nick Kyrgios called for the Australian Open to be cancelled, while unexpectedly showing sympathy to World No.1 Novak Djokovic, who has refused to reveal his vaccination status.
Nick Kyrgios on Tuesday called for the Australian Open to be cancelled, while unexpectedly showing sympathy to tennis world number one Novak Djokovic, who has refused to reveal his vaccination status. The mercurial Australian said he believed January's opening Grand Slam of the year should not go ahead out of respect for the struggles Melbourne, which hosts the tournament, has endured during the pandemic. The city has spent more than 260 days under lockdown since coronavirus emerged, and Kyrgios suggested it was not worth risking another setback.
"I don't think the Aus Open should go ahead, just for the people in Melbourne -- you've got to send a message," he said on his podcast, 'No Boundaries'.
"How long did (Melbourne) do in lockdown? 275 days or something?"
Victoria state Sports Minister Martin Pakula disagreed, saying he "couldn't follow the logic" of Kyrgios' comments.
"Melburnians, Victorians and, frankly all Australians, are absolutely gagging for major events," he told reporters. "Our economy needs it, our state psyche needs it."
