Nick Kyrgios has withdrawn from this year's US Open, saying he's sitting out in respect for those who have been affected or lost their lives to coronavirus.
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The 25-year-old Canberran announced via Twitter on Sunday he won't be competing in the New York grand slam, scheduled to be played from August 31 to September 13.
Women's world No.1 Ash Barty and former US Open champion Sam Stosur have already withdrawn from the tournament, with the former citing health risks.
The US Tennis Association is creating a biosecurity hub for three weeks to help keep players healthy and the Flushing Meadows event will be played without crowds.
The United States has recorded 4.7 million positive cases of COVID-19 and more than 157,000 people have died.
"I will not be playing this year at the US Open. It hurts me at my core not to be out there and competing on one of the sport's greatest arenas, Arthur Ashe Stadium." Kyrgios said in a video message.
"But I'm sitting out for the people, for my Aussies, for the hundreds of thousands of Americans who have lost their lives, for all of you.
"It's my decision like it or not and those are my reasons."
Kyrgios, the World No.40, has been training at Lyneham since March and is yet to finalise his return to the tennis tour.
He's been outspoken in his criticism of ongoing events and tennis players flouting health advice amid the global pandemic.
One of those was world No.1 Novak Djokovic who tested positive for COVID-19 after hosting an an Adria Tour exhibition event in June.
He took another swipe at the "selfish" players involved in the tournament and its after-party, saying they must think about the community and work together to keep everyone safe.
"Let's take a breath here and remember what's important which health and safety as a community," Kyrgios said.
"We can rebuild our sport and the economy but we can never recover lives lost.
"Tennis players, you have to act in the interest 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 an 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.
"To those players who 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."
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Kyrgios reached the third round of the US Open on four occassions, in 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2019.
He doesn't begrudge US Open organisers for going ahead with the grand slam and wished competitors well.
"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 appropiately and safely," he said.
"No one wants people to keep their jobs more than me, I'm speaking for the guy who's working in the restaurant, the cleaners, the locker room attendants. These are the people who need their jobs back the most and fair play to them."