Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios has never been one to take a backward step, whether it’s on court, in a press conference or on social media.
The 21-year-old was in the headlines more this Wimbledon tournament for his attitude than his tennis and journalist Piers Morgan took aim at the Australian on his Twitter account congratulating Andy Murray for his straight sets win while lambasting the behaviour of his opponent.
Kyrgios responded with three letters. E-A-D. An abbreviation that the 51-year-old Morgan might have needed to google to work out what he meant, unless he’s up with the hip young crowd.
It’s not the first time Kyrgios has come under attack from celebrity ‘powerbrokers.’ In the past year or so two we’ve had Dawn Fraser, Kitty Chiller, Tex Walker and Patrick Dangerfield all have a crack. Plus, there was that time Warney let rip on Facebook.
Kyrgios’ detractors will have even more ammunition after his rather blunt press conference following the fourth round loss to Murray where the Australian admitted sometimes he didn’t care about tennis which is why he played communter games before the match. At least he’s honest on this topic.
Former player, turned commentator John McEnroe was the latest tennis expert to criticise the Australian.
“It’s not just the mental part, he needs to work on his game. He doesn’t know what it takes to be a top-10 professional to win grand slams,” McEnroe said.
All these comments will hardly upset or bring about a change from Kyrgios. He plays by his own rules and sometimes that’s good enough to beat the best, as we saw against Rafael Nadal in 2014.
Until Kyrgios gets kicked off the tour or retires, he’ll be a drawcard wherever he plays, whether people like it or not.
jamesb
Guest
At least Warne didn't waste his talent.
Griffo
Guest
He might not love tennis and if he has some other burning desire that's off the tennis court then maybe he should do that instead and not waste his time, but if there is nothing else then I think he should stick to what he's good at. It's rare to be blessed with the kind of talent he has if a few years down the track he finds he's squandered that then he might seriously regret it. He doesn't need to love what he does but maybe he can try to be satisfied by it.
Let The One King Rule
Guest
The spectators paying money to watch Kyrgios play could as easily opt not to pay, being aware of his reputation. This would, presumably, provide greater motivation for Kyrgios than any number of articles lambasting his work ethic - after all, a player who nobody will watch is also a player that nobody will sponsor. I'm not a fan of Kyrgios at all, but I don't really understand the public attitude that, because a sportsman is talented, he owes it to the community at large to make the best of his talent, rather than being allowed to utilise it in whatever way he sees fit (such as choosing to be a player of middling success). This is especially true in an individual sport such as tennis. In a team sport, I can understand somewhat supporter anger at a player who does not give his all - you're stuck watching the team they play for regardless of whether they're in it or not, and it's galling that somebody who your team is giving up on other options to sign is not putting their best foot forward. In tennis, however, nobody's forcing you to watch Kyrgios if you don't like him. Let him be lazy, achieve middling success, and rake in a modest fortune instead of a large one. Then forget about him and find somebody else to get behind.
Steve Kerr
Roar Rookie
It's not a savage burn though: it's a total victory for Piers Morgan. Piers wants attention, so he decides to goad Kyrgios: he implies Kyrgios is childishly impulsive and ill-tempered. Kyrgios responds by proving he is childishly impulsive and ill-tempered. Had Kyrgios just ignored tosser Morgan, or drawn attention any of Morgan's own massive character flaws, it might have been a savage burn.
1st&10
Guest
-- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
1st&10
Guest
Stay classy nick -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Johnny Boy Jnr
Guest
All that there is to say about Kyrios has been said already. He's obviously struggling with the pressure and his behaviour has invited (deservedly so) close media scrutiny on him. I'd rather he quit the sport than carry on the way he has. Maybe he needs half a season off to address this for a final crack
Anindya Dutta
Roar Guru
My point exactly
The Grafter
Guest
'Pitch and weather reports' to 'John' in India rings a bell as well DM.
Bakkies
Guest
You couldn't question Warnie's passion and dedication for Cricket
Dingo McNumbat
Roar Rookie
Seriously? Do the words "It was given to me by my mum" mean nothing to you? Even if that particular incident never happened, he was banned on at least two occasions for not showing respect to the opposition.
Anindya Dutta
Roar Guru
I think Warney is talking about respecting his sport. Whatever you say about Warne, he didn't disrespect Cricket at any stage.
Anindya Dutta
Roar Guru
Fair point. But I am assuming you are not a TOP 15 ATP player because once you are, you are expected to be serious about your job. There are many professions where you can afford to be a "man of leisure" so to speak and that's fine, but professional sports in the 21st century is not one of them. Spectators pay a lot of money to watch a certain level of sports. It's disrespectful to them to be less than serious about your work. Sponsors put in a lot of money with the knowledge your success will pay them back. It's borderline dishonest to not try hard enough. And this is the man (or boy given his obvious immaturity) who sulks at comments on his attitude and withdraws from selection for the Olympics after saying it's been his ambition to play for his country at the Olympics since he was 9! I state the obvious, but I am a fan of his talent not of the man.
Let The One King Rule
Guest
"But then I am not on the ascend or at the peak of my career as he should be. So he just cant afford to feel that, much less say it." Honestly, why not? Most people could probably ascend higher and perform better at their chosen careers. They just choose not to. I've chosen not to. My career does bring me a level of satisfaction, but for the most part, it exists to provide for my family and give them and myself the options to live the kinds of lives we want to live. If Kyrgios doesn't care about being the best, then regardless of whether he -could- or not, does it really matter? Why should he work as hard as a Federer, Nadal, Djokovic or Murray if he doesn't care about really competing with Federer, Nadal, Djokovic or Murray?
Dingo McNumbat
Roar Rookie
Wait. Shane Warne thinks he's in a position to hand out lessons on respectful behaviour? The mind boggles.
Anindya Dutta
Roar Guru
That's a real pity Benjamin. The man has talent. He is wasting it. I agree that being your own self and having an attitude are all good. But they need to be backed up by consistent performances not a Nadal match every 2 years. And I personally think he is more confused than honest. He says he sometimes doesn't care about tennis. That's fair. I don't always care about the profession I am engaged in. But then I am not on the ascend or at the peak of my career as he should be. So he just cant afford to feel that, much less say it. He should not be a professional tennis player in this day of age if he cant turn up with the kind of hard work and commitment and intensity that a Federer, or nadal or Djokovic or Murray brings to the court every day.