Nick Kyrgios has doubled down with another extraordinary claim about Ash Barty and their respective Australian Open victories.
Nick Kyrgios has to be trolling us at this point — it’s the only possible explanation.
The tennis star is still revelling in his Australian Open doubles triumph with Thanasi Kokkinakis and he once again dragged Ash Barty into a boast about how much crowd support the “Special Ks” received in Melbourne.
Kyrgios copped a fierce backlash to his claim after Saturday night’s final where he said he and Kokkinakis “created probably the best atmosphere this tournament has ever seen”.
“Ash (Barty’s) father came to us and said the crowd was the best he’s ever seen. Obviously Ash is a hell of a player, but I think the ratings speak for themselves,” Kyrgios added.
Given that claim came on the same night Barty became the first Australian woman in 44 years to win her home grand slam — securing major trophy number three — tennis commentators branded Kyrgios’ remarks as “extraordinary” and “extremely disrespectful” to the world’s No. 1 female player.
Aussie legend Pat Rafter also suggested the crowd atmosphere for Barty’s match was the “best” he witnessed, describing the crowds for Kyrgios’ doubles matches as “like a soccer crowd”.
Kyrgios hit back at the “media” for twisting his words in an angry Instagram post, but on Tuesday morning he was at it again — suggesting he and Kokkinakis had more crowd support than Barty on Saturday night.
“It was amazing, obviously the stadium was completely packed for Ash and to see that success … I definitely do think the crowd wanted me and Thanasi more to win,” Kyrgios said on Today.
“I don’t know how that is going to be perceived. The media does anything these days. I had fun doing it.”
He said earlier in the interview he wanted to give the Melbourne crowds a different experience this year as a result of everything the city endured during its record lockdowns and Covid restrictions.
“When I walked out for my singles I knew the crowd the way that they have been in the last two years, they wanted more of a show this year and to get behind it,” he said.
“I felt like the crowd were a bit looser this year. I think when people were yelling out before serves and that type of stuff, that is not what we created. I think we created an atmosphere where we had so many players doing their own thing and going about it differently, and I think it was exciting for Australian tennis and the people watching.
“Ash winning the Grand Slam was unbelievable. Me and Thanasi were in the room where she came back to her family and it was a special moment to see her share that with her support crew as well.
“So then me and Thanasi get the dubs title. It’s Dylan’s last Australian Open. It’s Sam Stosur’s kind of last Australian Open. Playing the two other Aussies that we played in the final as well. So I think it was an exciting Australian Open barring all the Novak stuff beforehand. I think we all did a great job to make it interesting.”
His comments about Barty comes after he posted an angry message on Instagram claiming his crowd boast had been twisted out of context.
His post also included a brutal attack on fellow Aussie Max Purcell, who partnered with veteran Matt Ebden in the all-Australian men’s doubles final.
However, he was just as scathing of the press.
“F** you media,” Kyrgios wrote on his Instagram stories.
“Honestly, I said nothing disrespectful to @ashbarty I said that the crowd this year was amazing and I feel as if @the-kokk1 & I were a big part of that.
“Ash’s father came to me and even said that. All I said was that when people watch me around the world the stadiums are full. I grew up with Ash & always knew her potential.”
Kyrgios’ anger then turned towards Purcell after the pair had exchanged some prickly words through the media throughout the tournament.
Purcell earlier in the tournament appeared to write on Instagram that Kyrgios and Kokkinakis were “disrespectful” to their opponents and he “couldn’t agree more” to a comment that called for Kyrgios to be disqualified for hitting a ball into the crowd, striking a nine-year-old boy.
Purcell praised Kyrgios in his post-match press conference following the final, but also said: “I think it was great for ticket sales here but I’m not so sure how it was taken overseas.
“If you’re watching some of Nick and Thanasi’s matches earlier in the week and you’re overseas, maybe you get turned off tennis a little bit.”
Kyrgios got to have his say on Instagram.
“As for @maxpurcell you donut, regarding your comments after the match, you clearly have no idea about entertainment and sport,” he wrote.
“If you haven’t noticed there is a reason why people actually come to my matches. It’s because the level & my game are actually worth watching.
“Next time you lose another slam final, you should just put your head down and try to figure out how to play the big points better. No need to slate other Aussies in the media cuz people would rather watch paint dry than your S&V game style.”
The circus continues.
Originally published as Nick Kyrgios delivers another bizarre Ash Barty boast
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