"Why is this most cretinous player at Wimbledon?" - British tabloids slam Kyrgios for unruly behavior
ATP
Tennis star Nick Kyrgios is known for his volatile behavior on the court, and it didn't take long for the British media to crucify the Aussie after his latest outbursts at the 2022 Wimbledon Championships.
Read also
Kyrgios engaged in another verbal altercation with an umpire during his first round match against Brit Paul Jubb, during which he called a linesperson a "snitch" and allegedly spat in the direction of a fan who angered him. This led to various British news outlets slamming the former World No.13, with The Daily Mail even capturing screen grabs of the moment Kyrgios spat in the fan's direction.
The Daily Mail was most critical, calling Kyrgios 'petulance personified' as well as 'cretinous'. Under the damning headline, 'Why is this most cretinous player at Wimbledon', Ian Herbert said he was 'rambling and often incoherent' with 'relentless, poisonous tirades' as he accused the 27-year-old of 'nursing a sense of victimhood'.
As well as taking a spot on the back page, Kyrgios dominated the Mirror's opening sport's spread with a 'Life and Crimes' panel detailing some of his previous spats.
However, while chief sports writer Andy Dunn suggested his behaviour was disrespectful towards opponent Paul Jubb, and detailed his criticism of officials, he did have some sympathy for the former Wimbledon quarter-finalist.
Dunn felt Kyrgios was 'within his rights to have a go back at the one or two idiots' who abused him, was right to 'highlight the plague of disrespect and abuse aimed at modern sports stars', and commended his wider campaign against racial slurs'.
The heavyweight Daily Telegraph was less even-handed. Kyrgios was described as an 'flagrant, unpleasant narcissist' with an 'extreme persecution complex' engaging in a tiresome 'orgy of self-pity'.
Read also
The Times was also critical, but thoughtful. Under the headline 'Storm Kyrgios both captivates and appals', Alyson Rudd wrote of his 'audacious hypocrisy', saying he was 'either unwilling or unable to see the double standards at work' when he complained at being picked on yet himself singled out a line judge as a 'snitch'.
"This is a man wrapped up in his own skewed narrative," wrote Rudd. "In becoming so notorious for his on-court histrionics, he has encouraged fans to think he enjoys being egged on, taunted and teased. He argues he is unfairly judged for reacting to abuse, but he sets the tone for a different kind of match when he is involved."
But love him or loathe him, one thing is certain - when Kyrgios plays his next match, against Serb Filip Krajinovic on Thursday, the press benches will be packed with Fleet Street's finest.
Growing up in a household where soccer was king, my earliest memories are filled with chants from packed stadiums and the rhythm of a ball being passed across neighborhood streets. But somewhere along the way, the quiet elegance and raw emotion of tennis pulled me in. What began as a curiosity became a lifelong passion; not just for the sport itself, but for the stories it tells: of grit, of heartbreak, of improbable comebacks and human resilience.
As a tennis writer, I bring the observational lens of someone who didn’t grow up in the sport, but fell in love with it as an outsider; a perspective that lets me see both its technical beauty and its emotional depth. Over the years working with TennisUpToDate, I’ve had the privilege of reaching more than 3.5 million readers worldwide, with one of my features ranking among the site’s top three articles.
With a background in storytelling and a creative mind always searching for meaning beyond the scoreboard, I aim to craft narratives that go deeper than results and rankings. Whether it’s a rising star breaking through or a veteran fighting off Father Time, I try to capture the heartbeat behind the headlines.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- Either Lena has a chronic internal ailment (i.e., colitis, enteritis, Crohn's, or some type of lower abdomen issue) -- or she is once again dealing with 'Vukovitis'. Mental stress can indeed cause lower body pains. No matter... whatever is truly going on sucks. "Virus" excuse is getting a bit old -- and often -- at this point.
mandoist09-11-2026 - Ironically, Martina became a U.S. Citizen about the same time as the Orange Convicted Felon & Abuser was just beginning on his road to losing all Daddy's Millions!!
mandoist09-11-2026 - "Another fresh start is in the cards." Thanks for the Humor!! I'm guessing this is the minimum one can do to keep all your sponsors hanging-on in perpetuity?
mandoist09-11-2026 - Vukov is doing this to Lena... AGAIN!!!!! WTA's autonomous collective should be dismantled for allowing Vukov to re-emerge from his hand-slapping suspension. Just ask WTA employees how that's been going lately as they witness his continued verbal abuses. Women's Pro Tennis should start over.
mandoist08-11-2026 - Can't help but suspect Vukov is back to his old self again. Thank you, WTA. Perhaps you can give them a "Battling Couple of the Year Award 2026" ??
mandoist08-11-2026 - Wtf? Why is there no reason? And what about the men's?Bel08-11-2026
- One step by another step -- WTA continues to 'lose the plot'. Too many hi-tech microphones being installed at most venues!!! Remove them (especially those along the hallways, sidewalks, and pathways throughout the venues. Not to mention (most of all) remove the mic's from the Players/Coaches Box.
mandoist06-11-2026 - Enough of her bullshit. Go marry someone.
mandoist06-11-2026 - Don't you just love this young lady!? We fans often expect athletes to be supermen and superwomen, often forgetting that they WILL GET TIRED! I love Alex's perspective. Tiredness for an athlete should never be viewed as a negative, especially if you are healthy, taking care of your body and mental health and putting in the work. What a mature perspective. Good for you, Alex!Rapunzel05-11-2026
- Jess is absolutely correct! But the disrespect is a trait I have noticed in most of the Russian players. Mirra is good but very immature and lacks humility. Conceivable needs to get a handle on that!Rapunzel05-11-2026









