Saudi Arabia is a country that has hosted several sporting events over the years. Despite being a sought-after destination for sporting events, there have been several serious controversies surrounding the country concerning human rights violations against members of the LGBTQ+ community. The issues also question the ethics of the players participating in the events. The topic is heavily discussed around the world and the latest star to be embroiled in this discussion is the Aussie tennis star, Nick Kyrgios.
Be it on or off court, Kyrgios manages to land himself in a world of trouble somehow. Although his antics are enjoyed by some, many criticize the Australian for his behavior.
Nick Kyrgios wants to focus on the sport
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Kyrgios recently interviewed with Sports Illustrated. The interview launched with a question about Kyrgios’s opinion on the human rights violation in Saudi Arabia. Amid such serious allegations, the country’s future in tennis will be determined by the WTA and the ATP.
They asked Kyrgios what he feels about the allegations launched by several media outlets. They also include the fact that players who go to the country to play highly-lucrative tournaments should be aware that they will be promoting the image of the country accused of human rights violations.
Despite such controversies, the Australian player asserted that he only wants to focus on playing the sport he loves. He added that every time his visits to the country have been great. Kyrgios also stated that they always made sure that he was as comfortable as possible.
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He said, “I don’t know about all that. You know, I’m here to just play the sport that I love. And I feel like the people have only been supportive of that. And, look at all the show they put on for us. You know, everyone I’ve met here has made sure that I’m, you know, very comfortable. So, look, I’m not gonna go into all that. I’m just gonna come here and play tennis and be embraced.”
Kyrgios gets a bonus
The Australian has played a few exhibition matches in Saudi Arabia. He played in the Diriyah cup last year while stepping away from the team representing Australia in the Davis Cup. Kyrgios also commented that the events were a bonus for him, as he loves to promote tennis.
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He will also likely participate in the upcoming events as well, which will always put his image in question among his critics. Do you think renowned stars like the Aussie should be mindful of the events happening outside of tennis while choosing to play in events? Let us know in the comments.