Nick Kyrgios slams "tool" Novak Djokovic over Australian Open demands

Nick Kyrgios branded Novak Djokovic a "tool" after the Serbian world No.1 requested a relaxation of quarantine rules ahead of the Australian Open.

Outspoken Aussie Kyrgios also took aim at Bernard Tomic's girlfriend, Vanessa Sierra, over her "ridiculous" complaints about the living situation in the hotel where players are accommodated.

"Djokovic is a tool," Kyrgios wrote on Twitter. "I don’t mind Bernie but his Mrs obviously has no perspective, ridiculous scenes."

Djokovic has seen his demands for a relaxation of Covid-19 measures slapped down by the head of the Victorian state government.

“There's no special treatment here,” said Daniel Andrews.

There are now six positive coronavirus cases – including one player – among the players, support staff and officials arriving for the first Grand Slam of the season on special charter flights.

At least 72 of the 390 players – including Heather Watson – are in hard lockdown where they are not allowed to leave their rooms for a fortnight to practise. The British No.2 posted on social media a 5km run she completed in her hotel room.

Defending champion Djokovic, who set up a player association separate to the ATP last summer, has written to Australian Open organisers called for reduced quarantine times for players in exchange for more testing. He also wants better food and access to gym equipment for players.

Warm-up events are due to start at Melbourne Park on February 1 followed by the Australian Open on February 8.

But Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said: “The rules will not be changing. People are free to provide lists of demands but the answer is no. The rules were very clearly laid out before anyone got on a plane.

"I know that there's been a bit of chatter from a number of players about the rules. Well, the rules apply to them as they apply to everybody else, and they were all briefed on that before they came.

"That was the condition on which they came. There's no special treatment here."

University of South Australia biostatistics and epidemiology professor Adrian Esterman told the Melbourne Age : “Australians have been very, very good in terms of sticking to what they're asked to do but a lot of these players are coming in a bit like prima donnas.”

And Scotsman Gordon Reid, the double Australian Open wheelchair champion, insisted the majority of players were happy to serve the two-week quarantine – and the moaners were “spoiled”.

"It's a minority of the players that are kicking up a fuss but the majority of the time that minority are the loudest," Reid he told Reuters via Zoom from his room.

"I've seen a lot of people complaining about the food but I think it has been OK. I think some people are maybe a little bit spoiled normally."

Arriving players, who were not judged close contacts with positive cases, need to pass two Covid-19 tests in Australia before being allowed out to train for five hours a day during the fortnight of quarantine.

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