Nick Kyrgios on Tuesday called for the Australian Open to be canceled, 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.
According to reports, the city has spent more than 260 days under lockdown since coronavirus emerged, and Kyrgios suggested it was not worth risking another setback.
However, Victoria state Sports Minister, Martin Pakula disagreed, saying he could not follow the logic of Kyrgios’ comments.
He further told reporters that Melburnians, Victorians and, all Australians, are absolutely gagging for the major event.
Organizers are adamant it will run as scheduled in 2022, with fully vaccinated players expected to be able to enter Australia without being quarantined or confined to bio-secure bubbles.
