Aussie tennis larrikin Nick Kyrgios has blasted Novak Djokovic, after the Serbian star reportedly issued Australian Open organisers with a list of demands.
A Spanish tennis website reported that Djokovic wrote to Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley, asking for reduced isolation periods and having players moved to "private houses with tennis courts".
Passengers who arrived on three charter flights have been placed into hard quarantine, including more than 70 players who are unable to train outside their rooms for 14 days before the year's first Grand Slam starts on February 8.
The requests were promptly denied by Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews.
"Djokovic is a tool," the inimitable Kyrgios has tweeted in reply to a news story on the increasing drama engulfing the Grand Slam.
The 25-year-old also took aim at Aussie Bernard Tomic and girlfriend Vanessa Sierra, who drew public backlash for her complaints, including the lack of access to a professional hairdresser.
"This is the worst part of quarantine," says the former Love Island contestant on Instagram.
"I don't wash my own hair, I've never washed my own hair - it's just not something that I do. I usually have hairdressers that do it twice a week for me."
Kygrios wrote: "I don’t mind Bernie, but his Mrs obviously has no perspective, ridiculous scenes."
Tournament organisers expect more players and officials to test positive for COVID-19 in the coming days.
Djokovic, who resigned as ATP Players Council head and set up the breakaway Professional Tennis Players' Association last year, is looking to gain popularity, says Australian former Davis Cup player Sam Groth.
"Is he serious? It's a selfish political move to gain popularity," he writes in his Herald Sun column.
Groth also pointed to the criticism the Serb received for organising the Adria Tour exhibition event in June, in which he and several players tested positive for COVID-19.
"To suggest players should have shorter quarantine isn't only ridiculous, it's insulting to Australians that have had to endure it," Groth adds.
Reuters/Newshub
