Nick Kyrgios looks set to bypass this month’s Olympic Games in Tokyo and head to the USA for his next tournament.
The Australian crowd favourite, who was forced out of Wimbledon with an abdominal injury during his third-round match, is currently holidaying in the Bahamas.
From there he posted a page of work-out notes on Instagram which included a line “Next tournament Atlanta 250”.
Kyrgios won the ATP tournament there in 2016.
The world No.60 told reporters at Wimbledon he had entered Atlanta, which will be held at the same time as the Olympics at the end of July.
He said he was yet to make a decision but gave a strong hint then he may not travel to Tokyo, saying the COVID-19 pandemic had heavily impacted his view of the Games.
“If I’m to play the Olympics I want to do it the right way,” Kyrgios said.
“With full crowds, with my guests there … when I’m able to watch other athletes do their thing.
“That’s the Olympics for me. The Olympics, the way it’s going to go on, is not the Olympics.”
Australia’s chef de mission Ian Chesterman said this week while the AOC would love to have Kyrgios on board it would respect his decision.
Youngster Alexei Popyrin or Jordan Thompson may be included as his replacement in the men’s singles should the 26-year-old withdraw.
“I understand and respect his decision, whichever way he goes,” Chesterman said of Kyrgios.
“People have to believe they can perform under these different circumstances, so Nick will make his own decisions and we’ll respect that.
“We have to acknowledge it’s been a very difficult lead up for all athletes.”
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