Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios says the way he’s been treated by the Australian Olympic Committee left him with no other choice but to withdraw from the Olympics in Rio de Janiero.
Kyrgios claims the AOC is out of touch and made its position clear that it didn’t want the 21-year-old in the team.
His decision comes after Australia’s Chef de Mission Kitty Chiller’s spoke out against Kyrgios’ on-court behaviour.
“I think some of Nick’s comments in social media shows he doesn’t really understand what it means to be an Australian Olympian,” Chiller said last month.
“I’ve said all along it’s not just about winning on the court, it’s how you go about it.”
“As with any athlete. There are a couple of athletes on notice. Nick has just come off a suspended sentence from his International Tennis Federation. Any athlete that has just had a disciplinary action from their international federation is on watch,” she said.
Kyrgios replied on twitter to those comments slamming Chiller by pointing out that he never was suspended before starting a poll asking his fans whether he should go to Rio or not.
In a 400 word statement Kyrgios thanked Tennis Australia for its support and for nominating him for the team.
“While I have received assurances from Tennis Australia that I will be nominated for the Olympic team, the AOC has chosen to publicly and privately disparage me. Not one member of the AOC has reached out to me, my family, my team, or representatives of Tennis Australia, asking for a meeting or the opportunity to discuss their concerns,” Kyrgios said.
“I am fortunate to be young enough to hopefully have a chance to wear the green and gold at the Olympics in the future.”
Kyrgios’ decision to withdraw from the Olympics comes after Bernard Tomic also pulled out, deciding instead to play another ATP tournament in Mexico.
READ NICK KYRGIOS’ FULL STATEMENT BELOW
It is with a heavy heart that I have had to make a decision not to compete at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Coming to this decision has been a lengthy and difficult process, and I am extremely disappointed to have been put in this unfortunate position.
Representing Australia at the Olympic Games has been a dream of mine since I was a kid. Playing in the Olympics was a goal this year; I planned my tournament schedule around Rio and made sure to fulfil my Olympic eligibility. Unfortunately, while I have expressed every intention of trying to win a medal for my country in Rio, it’s very clear to me that the Australian Olympic Committee has other plans.
AOC’s unfair and unjust treatment of me over the last four weeks, as well as the organization’s crystal clear position on whether they want me to be a part of the Australian Olympic team, has solidified my final decision.
While I have received assurances from Tennis Australia that I will be nominated for the Olympic team, the AOC has chosen to publicly and privately disparage me. Not one member of the AOC has reached out to me, my family, my team, or representatives of Tennis Australia, asking for a meeting or the opportunity to discuss their concerns. The AOC’s unwarranted attacks on me demonstrate the organization’s inability to understand the circumstances surrounding highly competitive sports. I also don’t want the AOC’s treatment of me to become a distraction and negatively affect the Australian Olympic team.
I am grateful to Tennis Australia for standing by me through this process and nominating me for the team. I also want to thank the public and the members of the media who have voiced their support.
I am a proud Australian and have always loved representing my country. I am fortunate to be young enough to hopefully have a chance to wear the green and gold at the Olympics in the future. I hope that in four years I will find myself in the position to be a part of the Australian Olympic team.
I would like to wish every athlete representing Australia the best of luck this August and will be following their progress and supporting and cheering them from afar.
Anindya Dutta
Roar Guru
I have to agree. He has let his ego get ahead of himself by saying he is withdrawing. If he has actually wanted to play at the Olympics since he was 9 years old (as per his statement) then he should have ignored statements from the AOC, and as the highest ranked Aussie player just staked his claim for an Olympics berth. He is 21 and a pretty good tennis player who can be a great if he leaves his Ego aside at least while representing his country.
Poppi
Roar Rookie
Top 7 Grand Slam winners of all time - Federer, Rafa, Sampras, Emerson, Laver, Borg, Djokovic - 90 Grand Slam wins between them. You might not want to have a beer with all of them, but they are all real champions and good blokes. Some were brats when they were younger, but they didn't start winning Slams until they pulled their heads in.
Jack
Guest
"one bad comment" You're having a laugh
Rabbitz
Roar Guru
Is it true that Jarryd Hayne has been offered Kyrgios' spot on the tennis team? Sorry. I couldn't resist...
Joe Blow
Guest
No kidding the majors are much more important than the Olympics.
Joe Blow
Guest
Oh yeah, loudly asking for a towel to be heard over the crowd noise is definitely a hanging offence.
Joe Blow
Guest
Hey J B J And as the 99% aren't in a position to directly influence his Olympic selection they are kind of irrelevant to the discussion.
Jack
Guest
Good god he's such an entitled little boy. Always complaining and throwing his toys when people rightly advise him to clean up his act, usually pointing out that he might fare better as a player should he do so. He's a silly little boy.
Nate
Guest
Except that if you watch the ATP tour it has not been every tournament, both his attitude and form are much improved. As for the 99.9% comment, maybe it's you that needs to avoid cheap comments. While I think he is immature at times, tennis has been riddled with people like that throughout the years. It's a pressure cooker environment where you are playing extended matches against both your opponent and yourself. People come in all types and this environment will sometimes bring out the worst in people. I don't have a problem with him.
Johnny Boy Jnr
Guest
Thank you
Johnny Boy Jnr
Guest
Hit the bricks Bob ! Go ask James O'Connor if his last name is Frankenstein, Einstein
Johnny Boy Jnr
Guest
Be careful what you wish for Mad Monk. We shouldn't be having this argument because IMO Tennis should not be an Olympic event but these guys are not going to inspire a generation of kids in a positive way (at least not yet anyway) I hope Kyrios grows up and finds a strong mentor but I fear Tomic is just a bad egg
Johnny Boy Jnr
Guest
Joe Blow...."Um" it's 99.9% of the Australian public who have problem with Kyrios' behaviour not just the AOC. Don't make cheap comments like that and expect not go get called on it. Tennis Australia should have made these comments at least a year ago so it never got to this stage where he is causing a scene at every tournament
Nate
Guest
Some of my most cherished moments as a sports fan come courtesy of large egos, outspoken behaviour, general conflict, etc. Whether it's State of Origin (looking at you Justin Hodges and many others), NRL, NFL, etc that's the stuff I remember. Except then it's standing up for your team or team mates. I've seen Michael Jordan and Reggie Miller talking trash on court like no tomorrow and I guarantee they were saying worse things than Nick said to Stan. These are the moments we remember. However, in tennis those moments are not shared with a team, they are individual. This is a guy you should want playing for you as in any other sport you no doubt would.
Poppi
Roar Rookie
I want to see Australians who would do anything it takes to be selected and compete for their country in the Olympics. Being an Olympian is a tremendous honour and an Australian Olympian should not only qualify on their performances, but display the character attributes we all expect and will be proud to acknowledge and support. Think of sportspeople like Herb Elliott, James Tomkins, Susie O'Neill, Pat Rafter, John Eales, Jason Day, Johnathan Thurston, Laura Geitz ... not all Olympians but champions we all admire greatly as people as much as for their success. Our most loved champions are also terrific people and they have shown us you can be both at once. Kyrgios is not really a medal contender and his selection would most likely have a negative effect on the rest of the Australian team. We saw that with the swimming team in London. Kitty Chiller was spot on and she now needs to be consistent with others and keep the bar high.
David C
Guest
Tennis, along with golf and football, should never have been admitted to the Olympics. An Olympic gold medal for these sportspeople would rank way below a major championship win (tennis and golf) or a gold medal at the football World Cup. Hence they do not deserve their place. In fact, I'll go so far as to say that the Olympics have almost run their race. The rank commercialism, the greed, the cheating have all stained the Olympic ideals espoused by de Coubertin irreparably. It wouldn't bother me at all if they were dropped entirely.
Johnny Boy Jnr
Guest
Totally disagree. Tennis Austalian have been pathetically weak letting these two get away with murder, even public humiliation of their own organisation. I applaud the AOC for challenging young aspiring Australian Athletes by drawing a line in the sand declaring 'This behaviour is not acceptable and does not meet the standards we expect'. I genuinely hope this bloke grows up becomes someone to look up to but he needs some tough love before it's too late
Liam
Guest
Kyrgios is an idiot, most of the time, but there has always been an element of conservatism in australian sport, and it is this that condemns him behind the scenes. I can fully understand why the Australian Olympic team maybe mightn't want him around, but if he has done everything he says he has done to make room for Rio there is no reason why they shouldn't allow him to perform for his country. Idiots have done so in the past, and they will undoubtedly do so in the future.
Noel
Guest
The Rio Olympics should be avoided due to the Zika virus. It will be interesting to see if Nick's girlfriend gets picked for Rio along with Sam Stosur. They might do it just to spite Nick. Seems like their mentality. Petty officials with no idea what happens in the real world.
Johnny Boy Jnr
Guest
I hope he quits tennis and public life in protest. ..he represents a very ugly side of humanity. His parents (probably don't but) should feel very ashamed.