Pat Cash has launched a blistering attack on Nick Kyrgios, accusing the compatriot of cheating, abuse and dragging tennis to new depths.
Most important points:
- Cash Says Kyrgios “Took Tennis To The Lowest Level I Can See”
- He said his match against Stefanos Tsitsipas was “absolute chaos”.
- Mats Wilander told Eurosport Kyrgios antics were not something he wanted to see again
Commenting on Kyrgios’ hateful win over Stefanos Tsitsipas on Saturday, the 1987 Wimbledon champion said the controversial Canberra showman turned the match into a circus.
In Saturday’s game, Tsitsipas could have easily been given notice of default for hitting the ball into the crowd, and Kyrgios, who had aimed foul-mouthed tirades at hapless chair umpire Damien Dumusois, tried to get the official to do just that.
The Greek, who also twice deliberately wanted to hit his opponent with the ball, later claimed the Australian was a bully and had a “bad side”, while Kyrgios said Tsitsipas was “soft” and had “serious problems”.
But Cash, in the BBC commentary box, was disgusted by his compatriot.
“It was absolute chaos,” he told BBC radio on Sunday.
“He was lucky to even make it through the first set. He should have defaulted in the first set.
“Something has to be done about it. It’s just an absolute circus.
Is it entertaining? Yes, possibly. It’s now gone to extremes.”
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Pressed on the idea that Kyrgios was cheating, Cash added: “[It’s] the game, the abuse he gave.
“Tsitsipas was supposed to be making a phone call and… [Kyrgios] would go there and start complaining, he would be in his face. That’s part of the game, that’s the kind of stuff he does and I think there’s a limit.
“As it was, the referee lost control. The ball kids ran across the pitch while Kyrgios was serving. He didn’t slow down for that sort of thing.
“Tsitsipas was totally sucked into it, so it was entertaining and fascinating, but for me it’s gone too far now.”
Cash spoke after he was on center court for the centennial parade of former champions.
Three-time Australian Open champion Mats Wilander was also in attendance and spoke to Eurosport about Kyrgios’ behaviour.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Wilander said.
“We don’t want to promote it as entertainment. We want to promote it as inspirational, educational, but this is what people might want to see.
“I’m not sure I’m a big fan of what’s going on to be honest.”
The biggest irony was John McEnroe’s attack while commenting for ESPN.
“It’s embarrassing. He doesn’t have to do any of this,” the man once said “Superbrat” to SW19 for his behavior.
“It’s scary how good he is. That’s sad in a way.”
Both men were beaten on Sunday for their dismal behavior.
Tsitsipas was fined $14,700 for hitting a ball that spectators narrowly missed
Kyrgios, who had already received the same penalty after spitting in his first round, was awarded an additional $6,000 for his affectation.
With Kyrgios getting his first championship centre-court date on Monday in a fourth-round duel with American Brandon Nakashima, Cash said: “Let’s hope he doesn’t drop tennis there to a lower level than it did on Saturday.” .”
MONKEY