Kyrgios pulls out of Olympic team over 'unjust treatment'

Controversial Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has conceded in his battle with the Australian Olympic Committee, deciding not to play at the Rio Games.

Nick Kyrgios

Controversial tennis star Nick Kyrgios says he won't compete at the Rio Olympics. (AAP)

Australian Olympic team boss Kitty Chiller has denied singling out Nick Kyrgios after the controversial tennis star pulled out of the Rio Games on Friday.

Kyrgios said while representing his country at the Olympics had been a childhood dream, it had been made clear to him the AOC had 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," Kyrgios said in a statement.
"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 21-year-old's withdrawal comes less than a month after Australia's world No.22 Bernard Tomic also pulled out of the tournament, citing a hectic schedule.

Kyrgios thanked Tennis Australia (TA) for their support in the battle with the AOC, but regretted not receiving the same backing from those within the Olympic team.

"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," he said.

"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."

TA president Steve Healey, impressed by Kyrgios's improved on-court conduct, said he was disappointed the two-time grand slam quarter-finalist had opted out of Rio.

"We understand Nick's decision and totally support him and his right to make it, but we are very disappointed that he has been put in this position," Healey said.

"Nick is a passionate competitor and he's working hard to learn and mature in a highly pressurised environment where he is under constant public scrutiny.
"As we've said recently, Nick's performances this year have improved. His growing maturity is reflected in his on-court performance, with only world No.1 Novak Djokovic defeating more top-10 players than Nick has this year."

But Kyrgios and Tomic were placed on notice by Chiller last month after a series of behavioural issues on and off the court.

Kyrgios made light of it via social media, referring to the team boss as `that Kitty Chiller' and all but daring selectors to overlook him for Rio at a recent post-match media conference.

"We have had nothing official except for some ill advised, shall I say, comments about me and what it means to be an Olympian," Chiller said at the time.

"I think some of Nick's comments in social media have shown that maybe he doesn't understand what it means to be an Australian Olympian.

"It is not just about winning on the court its about how you go about it."

On Friday, though, Chiller said she had not targeted Kyrgios or Tomic.

"In regard to selection, every athlete in contention is treated equally and fairly," she said in a brief statement.

"We have no further comment on this issue."

Kyrgios's withdrawal, which leaves French Open semi-finalist Samantha Stosur as Australia's brightest medal hope in Rio, has already attracted widespread attention on social media.


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Source: AAP



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