Nick Kyrgios says 2022 Australian Open should be cancelled in response to Melbourne's lockdowns
Next year's Australian Open should be cancelled in response to the lengthy lockdowns Melbourne has endured over the last two years, according to Nick Kyrgios.
Speaking on his 'No Boundaries' podcast, Kyrgios found some common ground with arch-rival Novak Djokovic, declaring it's "morally wrong" to ask players to be vaccinated, even though he himself is protected.
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It's still unclear whether or not the world No.1 will travel to Melbourne in January, after he declared his vaccination status is a "private matter."
But Kyrgios says the whole tournament should be called off.
Nick Kyrgios says the 2022 Australian Open should be cancelled. Getty
"I don't think the Aus Open should go ahead, just for the people in Melbourne, you've got to send a message," Kyrgios said.
"How long did [Melbourne] do in lockdown? 275 days or something?"
Kyrgios compared Djokovic to NBA star Kyrie Irving, who is currently suspended by the Brooklyn Nets over his refusal to get vaccinated.
That's despite the Australian hitting out at Djokovic during the height of the pandemic, when the world No.1 launched the ill-fated Adria Tour in 2020, which saw a number of players contract COVID-19, including Djokovic himself.
Kyrgios said at the time the Serbian "went missing" when it was time to show some leadership.
It's still unclear if Novak Djokovic will defend his Australian Open title. Getty
"Kyrie, Novak, these guys have given so much, sacrificed so much. They are global athletes who millions of people look up to," Kyrgios said.
"I just think it is so morally wrong to force someone to be vaccinated.
"I'm double vaccinated, but I just don't think it's right to force anyone [to be vaccinated] and say 'you can't come and play here because you're not vaccinated'."
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has repeatedly said only those players who are vaccinated will be able to enter the state for January's tournament, where Djokovic, if he plays, will be seeking a fourth straight title at Melbourne Park.
He's also tied on a record 20 grand slam titles with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
