Tennis star Nick Kyrgios has questioned whether the US Open should go ahead this year, saying officials would be "selfish" given the civil unrest and coronavirus concerns.
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World No. 1 Novak Djokovic cast doubt over the New York tournament earlier this week, with the US Tennis Association expected to meet next week to decide whether or not to host the US Open from August 31.
Kyrgios weighed into the debate on Thursday, reposting a tweet about the US approaching 2 million cases of coronavirus.
"The ATP is trying to make the US Open go ahead," Kyrgios said. "Selfish with everything going on at the moment.
"Obviously COVID, but also with the riots, together we need to overcome these challenges before tennis returns in my opinion."
He also asked Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Djokovic if they thought the tournament should proceed.
Amid a global wave of demonstrations against racism, the IOC says it will open talks that could let athletes make stronger protests at the Olympic Games.
Only five months ago the Olympic body strengthened its ban on political statements by specifying that gestures such as taking a knee or raising a fist on a medal podium remain prohibited.
But the IOC's public stance eased slightly on Wednesday when president Thomas Bach said the in-house athlete committee would "explore different ways" opinions could be expressed during the games while still "respecting the Olympic spirit."
"The Olympic aims are a very powerful global demonstration against racism and for inclusivity," Bach said at a news conference after an executive board meeting.
Still, he sought to separate "support for the principles enshrined in the Olympic Charter and potentially divisive demonstrations."
The current rule 50 of the charter tries to uphold political neutrality for the Olympics but allows athletes to express opinions in interviews after their events.
However, gestures made on the field of play or at medal ceremonies were classed in January as "divisive disruption."
Under current rules, athletes copying the iconic raised fist salutes by American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos alongside Australian silver medallist Peter Norman, who wore an anti-racism badge on his lapel, after the 200 metres final at the 1968 Mexico City Games could still be sent home from the Olympics.
They also would face disciplinary action by their national Olympic team, their sport's governing body, and the IOC.
It was unclear if the new talks could lead to those kinds of gestures being tolerated in the future.
Bach twice referred to "dignified" gestures, but wouldn't specify what he wants to see from the upcoming talks. "I will not pre-empt in any way these consultations," Bach said.
No details or timescale were given for the process, which Bach said would be led by the athletes panel that includes IOC members elected by their peers, and others who are appointed.
