Nick Kyrgios is a player not a policy maker, but he believes Australia should have a clear policy on unvaccinated players.
Kyrgios, who is vaccinated, said given the nearly 300-day lockdown Melbourne residents have endured during the pandemic he doesn't believe it's morally right to permit unvaccinated players into the nation to play the 2022 Australian Open.
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“I don’t think it’s morally right to accept players from overseas who aren’t vaccinated to come into our country," Kyrgios posted on his Instagram stories.
The 26-year-old Kyrgios made his statement on Instagram to clarify remarks he previously made on his "No Boundaries" podcast where he suggest the 2022 Australian Open should possibly be cancelled due to the situation in Melbourne.
“It’s more so for the people of Melbourne who have gone through hell and back, Kyrgios said. “I think it’s been 275 days, nearly 300 days of lockdown, and your freedom has been taken away from you.
“I don’t think it’s morally right to accept players from overseas who aren’t vaccinated to come into our country.”
The Australian Open begins on January 17th.
Defending champion Novak Djokovic has said he will make a decision on playing the season's first Grand Slam after Tennis Australia issues it's Coronavirus safety protocol. Djokovic, who has declined to reveal his vaccination status, has previously said he opposes mandatory vaccinations for players.
World No. 2 Daniil Medvedev has also declined to share if he has been vaccinated, but has said he does plan to play the Melbourne major.
On his podcast, Kyrgios expressed support for long-time nemesis Djokovic and Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving, who is unvaccinated and currently not playing for the Nets.
“Kyrie, Novak—these guys have given so much, sacrificed so much,” Kyrgios said. “They are global athletes who millions of people look up to. 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’. There are other solutions around it, [including] to get tested every day.
“In the States I know they’ve got rapid tests, and it’s coming to Australia."
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