Nick Kyrgios: Tennis Association 'selfish' for not delaying U.S. Open
The U.S. Open remains scheduled for Aug. 31-Sept. 13, with U.S. Tennis Association spokesman Chris Widmaier saying that the tournament should start on time "as long as we get the approvals we need." But Nick Kyrgios has criticized the plan, calling the idea of not delaying the tournament "selfish" in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"People that live in the US of course are pushing [for] the Open to go ahead 'Selfish,'" the Australian posted on Twitter Monday. "I'll get my hazmat suit ready for when I travel from Australia and then have to quarantine for 2 weeks on my return."
This is not the first time that Kyrgios has criticized the ATP Tour for trying to schedule the US Open on time, as he said with the pandemic and nationwide protests over the death of George Floyd that "we need to overcome these challenges before tennis returns in my opinion."
Kyrgios is not the only tennis player to voice concern about the U.S. Open, as Rafael Nadal has also said he would most likely not participate in the tournament in the current circumstances.
"If you asked me if I want to travel to New York today to play a tennis tournament, I will say no - I will not," Nadal told reporters. "But in a couple of months, I don't know how the situation is going to improve. I am confident that if the tournament is played, it's going to be under extremely safe circumstances. If not, in my opinion, it doesn't make sense."
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