Conor McGregor has rebuked Australian Open players for complaining about being forced into hotel quarantine while millions suffer lockdowns.
The UFC legend, 32, said it was everyone’s duty to do what they can to stop the spread of Covid and the world’s best tennis players should be happy they’re still getting to compete.
‘People can’t even go to work. Children can’t even go to school,’ the two-division world champion told Channel 10’s The Project.
‘And professional athletes are complaining about a little bit of isolation. Come on, guys.’
The 32-year-old UFC legend (pictured with partner Devlin Dee) said it is everyone’s duty to do what they can to stop the spread of Covid and that the world’s best tennis players should be happy they’re still getting to compete
The Irish contender is preparing to take on hard-hitting lightweight Dustin Poirier this Sunday in Abu Dhabi and is no stranger to living in the Covid bubble.
‘I came from a mega yacht here… I brought myself off the yacht and into the hotel without a complaint because I’m eager to compete and to entertain the fans who are going through so much at this time,’ he said.
Passengers on three chartered planes ferrying players to Melbourne tested positive to coronavirus sending 72 tennis stars into hard quarantine ahead of the February 8 Grand Slam.
Ukrainian player Marta Kostyuk compared hotel quarantine to ‘torture’, while fiery Spanish world No. 13 Roberto Bautista Agut said it’s like jail ‘with wifi’.
World number one Novak Djokovic has also voiced his opposition to being forced to stay inside his hotel room, even though he can train outside for five hours a day.
But McGregor said athletes should welcome a 14-day lockdown with open arms if it means they get to compete in such a prestigious tournament.
Ukrainian player Marta Kostyuk (pictured right) compared hotel quarantine to ‘torture’, while fiery Spanish world No. 13 Roberto Bautista Agut (pictured left) said it’s like jail ‘with wifi’
World number one Novak Djokovic is among the Australian Open players who have been criticised for complaining about having to quarantine in hotels. Djokovic is among several players with better facilities, such as rooms with balconies. Pictured: Djokovic on the balcony of his hotel room in Adelaide, Australia on Tuesday
Some players including Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka (pictured) and Rafael Nadal were allowed to fly into Adelaide and enjoy better facilities such as hotel rooms with balconies, unlike the majority quarantining in Melbourne, who had come into contact with people who later tested positive while flying in
He believes isolation could even be a good thing.
‘We’ve got to correct ourselves. There is a lot going on. There is a lot at risk. It is everyone’s duty to do what they can,’ the southpaw said.
‘Magical things can happen when you spend time with yourself.’
In the early stages of the pandemic the prize fighter was outspoken in support of his home country going into lockdown.
Ireland faced a shortage of medical supplies like many other nations and there were initial fears the healthcare system could soon be overrun.
McGregor decided to use his extremely high-profile in bid to help slow the spread of the disease.
‘I was campaigning for a full lockdown. I did everything in my power – I know I have a voice and that some people would listen to me,’ he said.
‘I wanted to get my point across, we all have to do our part here.
‘I helped with the PPE and the medical equipment and machinery also.’
The Notorious Conor McGregor has hit out at Australian Open tennis players complaining about being forced to undergo hotel quarantine
It’s been one year since McGregor last stepped foot in the octagon with an emphatic knockout win over veteran fighter Donal Cerrone (pictured during the fight)
The multi-million dollar star has been on the hunt to regain his lightweight title after going down to undefeated Russian grappling specialist Khabib Nurmagomedov in October 2018 (pictured during the fight)
Since December the rate of infection has skyrocketed to record daily case numbers in Ireland and McGregor said he will continue to urge others to be do their part.
‘Right now we are still back in the mix of it. It is coming back again,’ he said.
‘We have got to recalibrate. We have got to readjust. I will continue to urge what I have been urging all this time, do your part, keep your distance.’
‘Find comfort in your own self because when I isolated… it built up my own motivation, I became really self-motivated and I rose up.’
McGregor last stepped foot in the octagon a year ago with an emphatic knockout win over veteran fighter Donal Cerrone.
The multi-million dollar star has been on the hunt to regain his lightweight title after going down to undefeated Russian grappling specialist Khabib Nurmagomedov in October 2018.
A win over Poirier, who is currently ranked the number two contender, should see the controversial Irish brawler on the cusp of another title shot.
The Irish contender is preparing to take on hard-hitting lightweight Dustin Poirier this Sunday in Abu Dhabi
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