"We have another potato on the board": Nick Kyrgios-Boris Becker feud ignites response from Yevgeny Kafelnikov
ATPThursday, 21 December 2023 at 02:00
Former
world No. 1 Yevgeny Kafelnikov stepped forward in support of Boris Becker amid
the controversy involving the German and Nick Kyrgios. The ex-Russian tennis
player criticized Kyrgios on social media for likening himself to Becker,
considering he has never secured a Grand Slam title:
"Dude
hasn't won a Grand Slam in singles and is comparing his influence on the game
of tennis to one of the BEST legends in our sport, Boris Becker
@TheBorisBecker?? What kind of weed is he smoking?" Kafelnikov expressed
through his X (formerly Twitter) account.
The
Australian responded sarcastically to Kafelnikov in a series of tweets:
"Never ever said that he hasn’t impacted the game, champion. We have
another potato on board. He said that if you haven’t won a slam there is no
credibility???? RUBLEV??? lol you old heads are all the same," Kyrgios
wrote on his X (formerly Twitter) account.
"I’ll
also make sure your sad ass tweet reaches more than 50 k people. Sad guy,"
Kyrgios added.
Becker - Kyrgios Controversy
The
controversy unfolded when Boris Becker, on the Eurosport Germany podcast 'Das
Gelbe vom Ball,' called for respect for past tennis players such as Rod Laver,
Lleyton Hewitt, John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, Bjorn Borg, Ivan Lendl, etc.
According to the current coach of Holger Rune, these legends from the past
paved the way for the current generation, contributing significantly to the
sport's popularity and commercial success: "All these players make it
possible for Nick Kyrgios not to play tennis at all this year & still be
able to make a living from tennis," he said.
In
response, Kyrgios countered Becker's perspective, asserting that he is one of
the players who has had a substantial impact on the current tennis tour and has
built a brand around himself: "Bro, what 😂😂😂 I’ve been one of the FEW PLAYERS
that have brought a million more fans to the sport and have made more money for
everyone 😂 NETFLIX…. Don’t remember seeing Boris on there
😂 guy is ridiculous. I’ve made my career off the court without the help
of the others."
“Not once
have I taken ‘slams’ away from Becker, or any of these legends. Not once have I
said I’ve impacted the game MORE. I’ve simply said that I’ve built my own brand
and done it my way & brought fans. Apparently a slam finalist has no
credibility. Night, done with this convo,” Kyrgios wrote.
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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