‘Disrespectful’ Nick Krygios branded a ‘clown and an idiot’ by World No.1 doubles rival
Mate Pavic has admitted that Nick Kyrgios is ‘good for doubles’ but has claimed he is full of disrespect and called him an “ordinary clown.”
At this year’s Australian Open, home icons Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis, dubbed the ‘Special Ks’, lit up the ‘Happy Slam’ as they stormed their way to the doubles title.
In the second round, the world’s top ranked doubles partnership of Mate Pavic and Nikola Mektic lost to the eventual champions.
After the encounter, tempers flared in the players’ gym when a Croatian fitness coach threatened to fight Kyrgios as he felt he was being “disrespectful” to his opponents.
Now, World number one doubles player Mektic has echoed his coach’s claims and has criticised the Australian’s attitude, behaviour and demeanour towards his fellow professionals.
Similarly, quarter-final opponent and New Zealander Michael Venus called Kyrgios “an absolute knob” after he stirred up the crowds in their encounter.
Speaking on Eastern European sports channel Sport Klub’s Wish and Go podcast, Pavic said “however Kyrgios is, he has done something good for doubles.
“He showed that people come to watch him, no matter whether he plays singles or doubles. He showed that by playing doubles you can fill a stadium.”
However, the Croatian went on to criticise his counterpart by saying “the fans were not fair. If is difficult to play in these conditions against Kokkinakis and especially Kyrgios, who is – to be politically correct, a clown and an idiot.
“He gets away with a lot and he doesn’t respect his opponents. On the one hand we have a player like [Gael] Monfils, who is a showman, who respects his opponents and is interesting for the fans; and (then there is) Kyrgios (who) is full of disrespect and an ordinary clown.
“But obviously he has his fans who come to watch him.”
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