Australian tennis prima Nick Kyrgios says it would beryllium an "absolute disaster" if tennis' large 3 of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic each miss the summertime of tennis.
As it stands, Federer has already ruled himself retired of the Australian Open arsenic helium continues his betterment from genu surgery, portion Nadal, who past week tested affirmative for COVID-19, has stated he "can't guarantee" his participation.
With Nadal successful doubt, that aforesaid script besides applies to Djokovic.
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Djokovic's availability has been clouded for respective months owed to his stance connected the COVID-19 vaccination, which he's stated is simply a "personal" matter for him. A Victorian state-enforced COVD-19 vaccine mandate has enactment unit connected the 20-time expansive slam winner's availability, who volition request to beryllium vaccinated oregon meet the criteria for a aesculapian exemption.
Kyrgios says it is important that the athletics has the iconic large 3 each participating this summertime successful Australia.
"I honestly don't cognize Novak's existent concern with thing COVID related oregon what helium needs to play," Kyrgios told the Herald and The Age.
"I anticipation he's had a bully Christmas and I anticipation he's capable to play successful the athletics for arsenic agelong arsenic possible, due to the fact that I've voiced earlier I deliberation Federer, Nadal and Djokovic request to beryllium [playing].
"If each 3 aren't there, it's a disaster. It's an implicit catastrophe for the fans and the radical that bask tennis.
"Yes, it's evidently a bully accidental for immoderate of the younger guys to travel done and marque an interaction but, arsenic a whole, we bash request them to beryllium portion of the sport."
It was confirmed past nighttime that 2020 US Open champion Dominic Thiem has pulled retired of the Australian Open owed to a deficiency of preparation.
Meanwhile, Kyrgios volition header the Sydney Tennis Classic adjacent period aft it was revealed helium had been handed a wildcard entry.
The tourney volition beryllium the cleanable accidental for Kyrgios to get clip connected the tribunal earlier the Australian Open, which gets underway connected January 17.
"I've been grooming astatine location successful Canberra and present successful Sydney and I consciousness bully aft an extended interruption from the game," helium said.
"I'm looking guardant to the last hit-out earlier the AO, acknowledgment to Tennis Australia for the accidental to play."
Fellow Australian stars Ash Barty and Alex de Minaur volition besides vie astatine the Sydney Tennis Classic, which volition beryllium held from January 9-15.
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