Nick
Kyrgios once again directed comments at
Boris Becker during the quarterfinals
broadcast of the 2024
Australian Open, particularly in the match between
Alexander Zverev and
Carlos Alcaraz.
Kyrgios'
involvement in the broadcasts had drawn attention, especially given that
Becker, the current coach of Holger Rune, was also scheduled to provide
commentary. However, the Australian had not explicitly addressed the 7-times
Grand Slam champion until now.
During the
broadcast, commentator Nick Lester discussed the significance of Zverev
reaching the semifinals for German tennis, acknowledging Zverev's consistency
in Grand Slam performances but noting that he still trails behind Becker's
achievements:
"Looking
to reach a seventh Major semi-final in his career. If you put him side-by-side
on some of the German greats he would actually surpass Michael Stich’s number
tonight if he can win," he said. "Boris Becker still way out in front
with his 18 Grand Slam semi-finals. You get on well with Boris, don’t you
Nick?"
Kyrgios
responded, "Yeah me and Boris go way back. Way back." Lester then
brought up their social media exchange from a few weeks ago, alluding to their
previous argument: "We enjoyed that exchange on social media a few weeks
ago."
"I
mean according to him Zverev has got no knowledge on tennis. Only Grand Slam
champions do. Absurd statement," the former Wimbledon finalist remarked.
Kyrgios was referencing something Becker said during their online spat, which
started when the Australian used the six-time Major winner as an example while
claiming that former champions were no match for today's players.
Kyrgios –
Becker controversy
28-year-old
Australian tennis player
Nick Kyrgios and former world No. 1 German player
Boris Becker recently got into a social media dispute. It began when Kyrgios
commented that past tennis legends wouldn't fare well in today's game:
"I've
watched Boris Becker and I'm not saying they weren't good in their time, but to
say that they would be just as good now, it's absurd. A big serve back then was
like 197 to 200 [km/h]. People like me, we serve 220 consistently, to corners,”
Kyrgios wrote a month ago.
Becker took
offense to Kyrgios' remarks and questioned the credibility of someone who has
never won a Grand Slam, both as a player or coach: "Fact-check Nick has
never won a major championship as a player or coach... so where is any
credibility coming from? Speak to your @OnlyFans about many things but [not]
tennis!"