"He lives and breathes nothing but provocative statements": Marion Bartoli's harsh criticism of Nick Kyrgios
ATP
Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli expressed her frustration with Nick Kyrgios' inflammatory remarks against Jannik Sinner and recalled a tense encounter with Stan Wawrinka. The former French tennis player strongly criticized the Australian’s constant ‘provocations’ towards the world No. 1.
Months have passed since the doping controversy surrounding Sinner, and Kyrgios seems unwilling to let the issue go. Sinner was found innocent of ‘guilt or negligence’ and avoided a suspension by the ITIA. Recently, the WADA announced its appeal in the case, requesting a suspension of one to two years for the Italian.
Bartoli lashes out at Kyrgios’ 'blatant' remarks against Sinner
Although Kyrgios wasn’t the only one to criticize the controversy, he has been the most outspoken against Sinner, something that has now deeply annoyed Marion Bartoli. “I am not surprised because Kyrgios only lives for this, for making more and more provocative statements,” she stated.
“I remind you that this is the same player who was able to say absolutely terrible things to Stan Wawrinka, who is one of the most polite, beloved, and respected players on the tennis court, during a Masters 1000 match,” the former world No. 7 added. “We don’t even know what goes through his mind, and I won’t even tell you what he said; those who follow tennis know.”
Recently, Kyrgios commented on the Nothing Major podcast that he hopes to face Sinner at the Australian Open and involve the crowd against him. The 2022 Wimbledon runner-up expressed his determination to challenge the two-time Grand Slam champion, and for him, playing in front of his home crowd would be the perfect opportunity.
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“Now, his provocative statements are everywhere, and at some point, it becomes too much. It’s enough!” Marion Bartoli added, highlighting the World No. 1’s attitude of not getting involved in the controversy. “And if they play on the court, even if it’s just tennis, we still have one player who is world No. 1, who just won two Grand Slams and is nearly unbeatable, and on the other side, we have a Nick Kyrgios who hasn’t played in an official competition since June 13, 2023.”
🗣💬 "Ses déclarations provocatrices à foison, il y en a ras-le-bol !"@bartoli_marion déplore le comportement provocateur et les propos de Nick Kyrgios à l'encontre de Jannick Sinner, qui avait été contrôle positif lors d'un test anti-dopage. pic.twitter.com/jOrSTd5WWU
— Les Grandes Gueules du Sport - RMC (@GGsportRMC) December 22, 2024
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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