Nick Kyrgios failed in Melbourne in the first round – and is once again criticized by Boris Becker.
Boris Becker will probably not shed a tear for Nick Kyrgios at the Australian Open. After the eccentric local hero’s early exit in Melbourne, the former Wimbledon winner was clear: “Big words before the tournament, actions look different,” Becker commented on Kyrgios’ disappointing performance in his three-set defeat in the first round against Jacob Fearnley on Eurosport.
“I’m curious to see what form he will be in again. Tennis is his forum, I think his business model is something else,” Becker added. Kyrgios had only recently returned to the tour after a long injury break – and hinted that it could have been his last singles appearance at his home Slam. “Realistically, I can’t imagine playing singles here again,” said the 29-year-old.
History with Becker and Kyrgios
Even before the tournament, Becker had commented on the Australian’s behavior. Kyrgios is a “social media star who occasionally plays tennis,” said the 57-year-old: “He is far from the world’s top tennis players, but he has over 4.5 million followers on his social media channels. I think that’s his business model.”
The Australian and the six-time Grand Slam winner have a history. At the end of 2023, they exchanged blows on social media, with Kyrgios polemically addressing Becker’s prison sentence, among other things.
