Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios will not start at the upcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo because he does not want to play without fans in the stands. He published his decision on social networks after Japanese organizers announced after the resumption of the emergency due to coronavirus on Thursday that the Olympic Games will be without spectators.
“It has always been my dream to represent Australia at the Olympics and I know very well that I may not get another chance,” Kyrgios wrote on Instagram. “But I also know myself. The idea of playing in front of an empty auditorium just doesn’t suit me. And it never did,” he added.
Kyrgios, who had to retake the third round of Wimbledon due to an abdominal muscle injury, wants to give another tennis player a chance to prepare for the trip to Tokyo with a timely decision. He himself will use the time to get healthy.
Stars such as Rafael Nadal, Dominic Thiem, Stan Wawrinka, Serena Williams and Simona Halep have previously apologized for participating in the Olympics for personal or health reasons. Novak Djokovic has previously announced that he will reconsider his participation if it should be played without spectators.
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