Unfiltered Kyrgios rips into Djokovic, Nadal in podcast
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[May 16, 2019]
Nick Kyrgios has branded Rafa
Nadal a sore loser, the Spaniard's uncle Toni an "idiot" and said
world number one Novak Djokovic has a "sick obsession" with being
liked in a podcast certain to ruffle feathers ahead of the French
Open.
Speaking to tennis writer Ben Rothenberg on the 'No Challenges
Remaining' podcast, the 24-year-old also disparaged a number of
other top professionals and fans who heckle him at his matches.
Kyrgios has had a tense relationship with Nadal, who accused him of
"lacking respect for the public, the opponent and himself" after
being beaten by the Australian at the Mexican Open in March.
World number 36 Kyrgios labeled the French Open champion "super
salty" -- slang for someone who is aggressive or ill-humored -- and
only gracious after victory.
"When he wins, it’s fine. He won’t say anything bad, he’ll credit
the opponent, ‘He was a great player’. But as soon as I beat him,
it’s just like, ‘He has no respect for me, my fans and no respect to
the game’," said Kyrgios.
"It’s not a good look for you, I feel. And then uncle Toni came out
saying, 'He lacks education'. I’m like, 'Bra (brother), I did 12
years at school, you idiot.
"I’m very educated. I understand that you’re upset I beat your
family again’."
Turning his sights on another of the game's modern greats, Kyrgios
described Djokovic as "an unbelievable player" and "a champion of
the sport" but said the Serb was too desperate to be admired like
popular Swiss rival Roger Federer.
"I just feel like he has a sick obsession with wanting to be liked.
He just wants to be like Roger," he said.
"For me personally -- I don’t care right now, I’ve come this far --
I feel like he just wants to be liked so much that I just can’t
stand him.
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Australia’s Nick Kyrgios in action during his Final match against
Germany's Alexander Zverev REUTERS/Henry Romero
"This whole celebration thing that he does after matches, it’s like
so cringeworthy. It’s very cringeworthy."
Kyrgios devoted special attention to Spanish veteran Fernando
Verdasco, calling him "the most arrogant person ever".
He spoke warmly of three-times Grand Slam champion Andy Murray but
also said the Briton's head-to-head record against Djokovic -- 11-25
in matches and 2-5 in Grand Slam finals -- was "embarrassing".
He gave no apologies for hitting back at spectators who give him a
hard time during matches.
"These guys show me no respect. None," he said.
"So why would I show you respect? For instance, when I’m taking
matches, I don’t care that you paid for tickets. You guys treat me
like crap anyway."
Kyrgios, who has thrilled fans with the purity of his tennis and
alienated some by flouting the game's conventions, plays Norway's
Casper Ruud in the second round of the Rome Masters later on
Thursday.
He will then bid to surpass the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam for
the first time at the May 26-June 9 French Open.
(Reporting by Ian Ransom, editing by Nick Mulvenney)
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