Mexico City /
Nick kyrgios urged Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic playing the Australian Open, after declaring on Wednesday that the absence of tennis’s “big three” would be a “disaster” for the tournament.
The swiss Roger Federer He has already retired due to a knee injury and Nadal’s plans are unclear after contracting covid-19. Djokovic is on the list of the first Grand Slam of the year, that starts on January 17, but he has refused to confirm whether he has been vaccinated, which casts doubt on whether he can travel to Australia.
The “big three” have won 20 tournaments Grand Slam each one, and Kyrgios said tennis needs them, starting next month in Melbourne.
“I honestly don’t know what the situation is Novak in relation to the covid or what you need to play“Australian Kyrgios told the Melbourne Age newspaper.
“I hope you had a good Christmas and I hope you can play as long as possible, because I said before that Federer, Nadal and Djokovic have to be “ in the tournament, he added.
“If all three are not there, it is a disaster. It is an absolute disaster for the fans and people who enjoy tennis.“he added.
To make matters worse the Austrian Dominic Thiem, who lost the 2020 final to Djokovic, said Tuesday that he would not go to Melbourne because of a wrist injury.
Likewise, the Russian Andrey Rublev and the Canadian Denis Shapovalov are recovering from the coronavirus and their participation is in doubt.
Kyrgios, who fell to 93rd in the world rankings, has not played since Laver Cup of September for a knee injury, and he said he wanted to play again in front of the fans of his country.
“My knee is something that has affected my career for a while, It is something that I had solved last year and it feels good, “he told the newspaper. He plans to start his 2022 campaign in the Melbourne Summer Set starting January 4.
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