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Nick Kyrgios unloads on 'selfish' tennis rival over virus breach

Nick Kyrgios, pictured here blasting Alexander Zverev over his partying video.
Nick Kyrgios has blasted Alexander Zverev's partying video. Images: Twitter

Nick Kyrgios has savaged Alexander Zverev after his German tennis rival was spotted partying when he said he’d be self-isolating.

Zverev took part in Novak Djokovic’s ill-fated Adria Tour tennis event recently but was one of the lucky few not to test positive for coronavirus.

‘HAPPINESS FOUND’: Kyrgios sparks new relationship rumours

‘UNFAIR’: Tennis legend goes in to bat for Novak Djokovic

Djokovic, Grigor Dimitrov, Borna Coric and Viktor Troicki all contracted the virus - as well as Djokovic’s wife Jelena and coach Goran Ivanisevic.

Despite getting the all clear, Zverev assured fans he’d be self-isolating over the next week or two as a precaution.

“I deeply apologise to anyone that I have potentially put at risk by playing this tour,” the 23-year-old said in a statement last week.

“I will proceed to follow the self-isolating guidelines advised by our doctors. As an added precaution my team and I will continue with regular testing.”

So it was particularly shocking when video emerged of Zverev dancing with friends at a crowded restaurant in Monaco over the weekend.

Just five days after Djokovic announced he’d tested positive, Zverev didn’t exactly appear to be following “guidelines advised by doctors.”

Nick Kyrgios lashes out at ‘selfish’ Zverev

Australian star Nick Kyrgios, who was particularly scathing of the decision to hold the Adria Tour, absolutely unloaded on Zverev on social media on Monday.

“‘Sascha’ Zverev again man, again, again, how selfish can you be?” Kyrgios said in a video uploaded to his Instagram story.

“If you have the f***ing audacity to tweet that you’re going to self-isolate for 14 days...at least have the audacity to stay inside for 14 days.”

Kyrgios even suggested Zverev should have just stayed in with girlfriend and model Brenda Patea for two weeks.

“My god, have your girlfriend with you for f***ing 14 days,” he continued.

“P*ssing me off, this tennis world is p*ssing me off, seriously. How selfish can you all get?”

New York Times tennis writer Ben Rothenberg re-posted the video from German fashion designer Philipp Plein on Twitter on Sunday, showing Zverev dancing with friends at a restaurant (without much social-distancing).

“This is my concern with tennis attempting to come back mid-pandemic: not that precautions can’t be taken, but that too many tennis players are conditioned to be wildly self-centred and have no concept of how to act for the greater interest of a larger group,” Rothenberg wrote.

“Philipp Plein has already deleted the frame of his Instastory that most clearly showed Zverev partying today.

“No matter how lazy, sloppy and selfish players are about following public health guidelines mid-pandemic, they sure can spring to quick action to cover their asses.”

Fans and pundits were also gobsmacked.

Djokovic’s coach caught in virus scandal

Djokovic's coach, former Wimbledon champion Ivanisevic, confirmed he has tested positive for coronavirus on Friday.

The Croatian, who triumphed at the All England Club in 2001, had come out in defence of the Serbian over his organisation of the ill-fated Adria Tour.

Ivanisevic defended Djokovic, who has also since tested positive, telling the New York Times everyone attacking the 33-year-old was “smart now” but that the event had been given government approval.

Now the 48-year-old coach has tested positive too, confirming the news on Instagram.

Ivanisevic wrote: “Unfortunately after two negative tests in the last 10 days, I have just found out I have tested positive for COVID-19. I feel good and don't have any symptoms.”

with AAP