Nick Kyrgios withdraws from US Open due to coronavirus concerns

Outspoken Australian also criticises some of his fellow players in a video posted on social media

Novak Djokovic in action against Viktor Troicki during their match for the Adria Tour tennis tournament in Belgrade, Serbia. EPA

Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitov and Germany's Alexander Zverev at the trophy ceremony during the Adria Tour at Novak Tennis Centre in Belgrade, Serbia. Reuters

Germany's Alexander Zverev in action during the Adria Tour. Reuters

Djordje Djokovic and Goran Ivanisevic during a press conference announcing the cancellation of the Adria Tour final. Reuters

Djordje Djokovic and Goran Ivanisevic announce the cancellation of the Adria Tour final after Grigor Dimitrov tested positive for the coronavirus. Reuters

Novak Djokovic hugs Jelena Jankovic during a tennis doubles against Serbia's Nenad Zimonjic and Olga Danilovic at a charity exhibition hosted by Novak Djokovic, in Belgrade. AFP

Serbia's Viktor Troicki, Nenad Zimonjic, Dusan Lajovic, Novak Djokovic, Austria's Dominic Thiem and Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov during Adria Tour at Novak Tennis Centre in Belgrade, Serbia, June 12. Reuters

Serbia's Novak Djokovic with his wife Jelena in the stands in Belgrade. Both have contracted Covid-19. Reuters

Novak Djokovic during Adria Tour at Novak Tennis Centre in Belgrade, Serbia, June 14. Reuters

Serbia's Novak Djokovic poses for a picture before the match with Serbia's Pedja Krstin. Reuters

Serbia's Novak Djokovic poses next to Biserka Petrovic during a press conference in Zadar, Croatia on June 19. Reuters

Serbia's Novak Djokovic poses for picture next to Croatia's Marin Cilic and Borna Coric. Reuters

Grigor Dimitrov, centre, with Alexander Zverev, left, and Novak Djokovic courtside at the Adria Tour. EPA

Grigor Dimitrov, centre, with Alexander Zverev, left, and Novak Djokovic at the Adria Tour. EPA

Grigor Dimitrov plays basketball with Novak Djokovic in Zadar, Croatia, during the Adria Tour. AP Photo

Spectators watch a match during the Adria Tour, an exhibition tournament, in Zadar, Croatia. AP Photo

Grigor Dimitrov, right, poses for photos with Borna Coric during their Adria Tour semifinal in Zadar, Croatia. AP Photo

From left, Dusan Lajovic, Viktor Troicki, Grigor Dimitrov, Filip Krajinovic, Dominic Thiem, Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic during the Adria Tour. AFP

Grigor Dimitrov, facing camera, shakes hands with Dominic Thiem at the end of their match at the Adria Tour. AFP

Grigor Dimitrov greets Dominic Thiem at the end of their match at the Adria Tour. AFP

Dominic Thiem serves to Grigor Dimitrov during the Adria Tour in Belgrade, Serbia. Getty Images

Dusan Lajovic serves to Grigor Dimitrov during a match at the Adria Tour in Belgrade. AFP

Nick Kyrgios has withdrawn from the US Open because of his concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.

Kyrgios, the world No 40, said his decision "hurts me at my core" and also criticised some of his fellow players in a video posted on social media.

"I've got no problem with the USTA putting on the US Open and if players want to go, that's up to them so long as everyone acts appropriately and acts safely," he said.

"But tennis players, you have to act in the interests of each other and work together.

"You can't be dancing on tables, money-grabbing your way around Europe or trying to make a quick buck hosting the next exhibition. That's just so selfish.

"Think of the other people for once. That's what this virus is about. It doesn't care about your world ranking or how much money you have. Act responsibly."

The US Open is scheduled to start behind closed doors at Flushing Meadow on August 31.

Fellow Australian Ashleigh Barty, the current women's world No 1, withdrew from the tournament earlier this week and Andy Murray said he expected more players to follow.

Reading an open letter on his video, Kyrgios said the global economy and tennis could rebuild, "but we can never recover lives lost".

"Dear Tennis, let us take a breath here and remember what is important, which is health and safety as a community," Kyrgios said.

"To those players that have been observing the rules and acting selflessly, I say good luck to you. Play at your own risk – and I have no problem with that.

"I will not be playing this year at the US Open. It hurts me at my core not to be out there competing at one of the sport's greatest arenas, Arthur Ashe Stadium.

"But I'm sitting out for the people, for my Aussies, for the hundreds and thousands of Americans who have lost their lives. For all of you."

Kyrgios has been outspoken over health and safety concerns throughout the coronavirus outbreak.

He was critical of Novak Djokovic after he and several other top players tested positive after playing in an exhibition tournament, the Adria Tour, which the world No 1 helped organise.

Former world No 1 Andy Murray also criticised those who took part in the ill-fated tournament. "I don't think it has been a great look for tennis," the Scot said.

Dominic Thiem, who also played in the tour, has since admitted that players who took part made "a mistake".

Another one of the players, Borna Coric, and Kyrgios have since been at loggerheads over comments made by the Australian regarding the Adria Tour.