Late on Wednesday night,
Boris Becker and
Nick Kyrgios got embroiled in a war of words on social media after the latter who has been doing multiple interviews since withdrawing from the Australian Open made comments comparing the generations.
Kyrgios compared the game now to back then citing Becker and this comparison drew the ire of the legendary German. "The game was so slow back then. 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. It’s a whole different ball game."
Where is any credibility coming from? - Becker
In response Becker pointed out the lack of credentials he believes on Kyrgios' side to talk citing him not winning any singles Grand Slams and supposedly hating the sport. "Nick makes a lot of noise about tennis lately!?! Why does he speak about a sport he apparently hates …fact-check Nick has never won a major championship as a player or coach (yes doubles 1) so where is any credibility coming from?" the former World No. 1 said.
"Trying to compare generations… Laver v Federer , Borg v Nadal , Sampras v Djokovic!?! I am not even going to mention McEnroe, Conners, Lendl Agassi, Courier, Edberg, Wilander, Kuerten, Bruguera, Rafter, Hewitt, and many more …speak to your Only Fans about many things but tennis," the German wrote. To which Kyrgios responded using his prison stint as a clapback and also doubling down on his claims saying that Djokovic would wipe the floor of Becker in his prime. And saying that if he doesn't have credibility neither does 99% of the tour including Alexander Zverev.
"Hahahaha this bloke speaking about credibility…… last I checked you were the one hiding assets no?" Nick Kyrgios responded. "Also I mean I’ve beaten, Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Murray so I feel like I have a little credibility…. But it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that Novak would wipe the floor against you in your prime? Like it’s not an attack. It’s just facts." "Basically 99% of the tennis tour doesn’t have credibility then? Potato. What about your boy Zverev? No credibility? He hasn’t even won a doubles grand slam?"