Nick Kyrgios Is Pulling Out Of The Rio 2016 Olympics

You don’t have Nick to kick around anymore, AOC.

Controversial tennis star Nick Kyrgios has revealed in a statement that he won’t represent Australia at Rio’s upcoming Olympic Games.

He cited the Australian Olympic Committee’s “unfair and unjust treatment” as the reason for his withdrawl, following weeks of hand-wringing on their part as to whether he should be selected for the team.

Australia’s chef de Mission (basically, Australia’s team manager) Kitty Chiller has made public her concerns about Kyrgios’ behaviour on and off the court.

(One key quote from Chiller: "I think some of Nick's comments in social media in the past week shows he doesn't really understand what it means to be an Australian Olympian." And another: "Nick has just come off a suspended sentence from his International Tennis Federation. Any athlete that has just had a disciplinary action from their international federation is on watch.")

But Kyrgios is not waiting for anyone to make the decision for him, bowing out (in a not-exactly conciliatory manner) like Bernard Tomic before him.

Here’s the full statement:

“It is with a heavy heart that I have had to make a decision not to compete at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro," it begins.

"Coming to this decision has been a lengthy and difficult process, and I am extremely disappointed to have been put in this unfortunate position.

"Representing Australia at the Olympic Games has been a dream of mine since I was a kid. Playing in the Olympics was a goal this year; I planned my tournament schedule around Rio and made sure to fulfil my Olympic eligibility. Unfortunately, while I have expressed every intention of trying to win a medal for my country in Rio, it’s very clear to me that the Australian Olympic Committee has other plans.

"AOC’s unfair and unjust treatment of me over the last four weeks, as well as the organisation’s crystal clear position on whether they want me to be a part of the Australian Olympic team, has solidified my final decision.

"While I have received assurances from Tennis Australia that I will be nominated for the Olympic team, the AOC has chosen to publicly and privately disparage me. 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 AOC’s unwarranted attacks on me demonstrate the organisation’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.

"I am grateful to Tennis Australia for standing by me through this process and nominating me for the team. I also want to thank the public and the members of the media who have voiced their support.

"I am a proud Australian and have always loved representing my country. I am fortunate to be young enough to hopefully have a chance to wear the green and gold at the Olympics in the future. I hope that in four years I will find myself in the position to be a part of the Australian Olympic team.

"I would like to wish every athlete representing Australia the best of luck this August and will be following their progress and supporting and cheering them from afar.”

So, see you in 2020, Nicky?

No comment has yet been made by Chiller, nor national conscience Shane Warne, on Kyrgios' decision.

Photo: Facebook.