Tennis fans left shattered over sad Nick Kyrgios announcement
Tennis fans have expressed their sadness and disappointment after Nick Kyrgios announced he won't be playing the Laver Cup next month.
Kyrgios revealed on Tuesday night that he will not play in the popular team event in September as he wants to spend more time with his family.
'TOUGH TO WATCH': Venus Williams' brutal fate in tennis return
'PARANOIA': Russia hits back amid Emma Raducanu controversy
"No Laver Cup for me this year," the Aussie wrote on Instagram.
"Gotta have that home time with my family and (my) beautiful girlfriend."
The 27-year-old, who was runner-up to Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final last month, had played for Team World in all four previous editions of the Laver Cup.
Kyrgios and Team World have been beaten by Team Europe on all four occasions.
Speaking at the Laver Cup last year, Kyrgios hinted that he didn't think he'd be back in 2022.
"This is my probably my last Laver Cup," he said at the time.
"I don't know how much longer I will be in tennis.
"My mum is not doing too well with her health. I'd like to go back and see her."
The 2022 edition of the Laver Cup will be held in London from September 23-25.
Team World captain John McEnroe has named Felix Auger-Aliassime, Taylor Fritz and Diego Schwartzman as three members of his team, with two more spots to fill.
Rafa Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Andy Murray will play together in the same team for the first time ever and will be captained by Bjorn Borg on Team Europe.
Kyrgios is currently in the United States preparing for the US Open later this month.
On Sunday, he and Thanasi Kokkinakis beat Jason Kubler and John Peers to win the Atlanta Open doubles title, backing up their remarkable grand slam triumph at the Australian Open in January.
Fans took to social media to express their disappointment that Kyrgios won't be in action at the Laver Cup this year.
really rough news for the tennis community.
β rational kyrgios fan (@tennisfanwbrain) August 2, 2022
I respect it. Tour takes him away from Australia for a long time
β Masonππ (@masonyo25) August 2, 2022
Wouldβve been so good to have him on team world against the big four
β TJ (@_TJ932O) August 2, 2022
ah 2 bad :(. he's played soo damn well there over the years, n i'd love to see him n Sock play doubles there 2
β rick marsonet (@RMarsonet) August 2, 2022
Would have loved to see you play Laver Cup again but totally understand that you need time with family and GF especially since playing on tour from AU is hard travel wise. But hey, there is D.C, Cincy, Montreal, and U.S. Open still left to play...and maybe a couple of moreπ π
β Shiva Suresh (@steveksuresh) August 2, 2022
Fair enough. Gutted he's not playing this year. I'm really intrigued to see who plays for team world now.
β Sam Innes (@sam_innes19) August 2, 2022
Tennis' Big 4 to play at Laver Cup
The news about Kyrgios is particularly disappointing considering who Team Europe will have at their disposal.
Djokovic announced last month that he will take part in the Laver Cup, completing Europe's dream lineup alongside Federer, Nadal and Murray.
It will be the first time Djokovic will appear at the event since 2018 when it was held in Chicago, and the first time ever that all four members of the 'Big 4' will play together.
The last time Djokovic played in 2018, the only other member of the 'Big 4' to play was Federer, but in 2022 Team Europe will have all four at their disposal.
"It's the only competition where you can play in a team environment with guys that you're normally competing against and to be joining Rafa, Roger and Andy - three of my biggest all-time rivals," Djokovic said last month.
"It's going to be a truly unique moment in the history of our sport."
Borg said: "I don't think I could have imagined having these four icons of the sport on one team together.
"I know they, like I, appreciate the significance of this moment and will be truly up for it.
"Each year our goal is to win. With Rafa, Roger, Andy and Novak on the team, I like our chances."
with AAP
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.
