Nick Kyrgios jabs tennis reporter with peculiar barb
Nick Kyrgios has launched a missive at an American tennis reporter over a video about US player Jack Sock.
Jon Wertheim, a senior writer for Sports Illustrated and analyst for the Tennis Channel, tweeted a two-minute video detailing Sock’s nightmare 2018 campaign.
The American tennis star began the year in the top 10, but a series of poor results and injuries saw him slip out of the top 100 by year’s end.
“I’m sorry, but this just sits uneasy with me,” Kyrgios tweeted.
“Creating a story about someone’s struggles and difficulties is just so messed up, not to mention he has achieved probably 40x what anyone who was involved in making this trash has.”
I’m sorry, but this just sits uneasy with me, creating a story about someone’s struggles and difficulties is just so messed up, not to mention he has achieved probably 40x what anyone who was involved in making this trash has. https://t.co/kCXCr7Ghi4
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) February 14, 2019
The outspoken Australian was criticised by many who replied to his tweet.
Fans reminded Kyrgios that Wertheim’s job was not “to be a cheerleader” for the world’s top tennis players.
Not sure if you understand that writers & people who commentate on the game & even fans don't need to achieve anything in the game or on the professional level to have an opinion on or comment on it. You know, like everything else on the planet.
— Zach Chase (@zachchase24) February 14, 2019
Journalists aren't there to be your cheerleaders, Nick. They have a right to say if professionals are playing badly or not. The 'you can't have an opinion because you've never played the game' argument is boring
— Richard Wilson (@richwilson26) February 14, 2019
I dunno Nick. I just viewed this piece and it seems to be accurate to me. I did not take it as a slight to Jack nor anyone else. Fitness and professionalism are the key for him. As you are aware, The margins are just so slim in pro tennis.
— Jimmy Morgan (@JimmmyMorgan) February 14, 2019
Good mates
Kyrgios and Sock go back a long way, with the Australian teaming up with the American for his first doubles title at the Lyon Open in 2018.
The duo also played together at the Laver Cup, as partners on Team World under coach John McEnroe.
Wertheim pointed out in his analysis that Sock had remained one of the world’s top doubles players, but that status clearly doesn’t sit well with him.
In an interview with the New York Times, Sock said he’d rather give it all away than focus on doubles.
“I can personally say if I’m not relevant in the singles world and my only choice is to play doubles, I’d probably stop playing tennis,” he said.
Sock had climbed as high as number eight in the world before his 2018 tumble.
He closed out the season ranked 105.
The American was upset in the first round of the Australian Open in January by Aussie wildcard Alex Bolt.