Bernard Tomic's $1 million move amid ugly feud with Nick Kyrgios
Bernard Tomic has significantly raised the stakes in the latest war of words with Nick Kyrgios after issuing a $1 million challenge to his Aussie rival.
The rivalry between the pair heated up again on social media this week, with the Aussie compatriots exchanging barbs with one another over the past few days.
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The feud kicked off when one fan suggested Tomic was the better tennis player between the two, prompting a ugly to-and-fro between the players.
Kyrgios promptly responded by reminding Tomic that at World No.76 he was the higher ranked player, with more career earnings than a man who has slipped to No.418 in the world.
Not to the outdone, Tomic has now thrown the gauntlet down to Kyrgios by challenging the 27-year-old to put his money where his mouth is.
Speaking to the Gold Coast Bulletin, Tomic suggested he and Kyrgios both put $1 million on the table in a high stakes head-to-head match between the two.
“I’ll put up a million and you put up a million, let’s see who is the better player,” Tomic said.
“Let the public see who is better for once and for all. I’ve beaten you easy (sic) before and I’ll do it again. Plus we’ll play on grass so you don’t make any excuses.
“Anywhere, anytime.”
Tomic's challenge made reference to the one and only time they've faced each other in their careers, with Tomic claiming bragging rights at the 2019 Kooyong Classic.
Earlier in the week, Kyrgios scoffed at suggestions that Tomic was on his level after dropping a series of brutal barbs about the Queenslander on social media.
“It’s time for BT to just quiet down. He ain’t even playing anymore. I got years left," Kyrgios wrote.
Rivalry between Aussie tennis stars kicks off again
The rivalry between the pair really kicked off again on Wednesday night when Tomic suggested the only reason Kyrgios got so annoyed by comparisons to him was because he secretly looked up to the Queenslander.
“The only logical explanation is that I’m his idol,” Tomic said.
“He’s always been in my shadow growing up.
“That’s why anytime someone mentions my name to him, it gets under his skin.
“He knows he can’t re-write history. The records that I set when I was 16, 17, 18, and 19 — youngest slam quarter-finalist at Wimbledon, the biggest tournament in the world."
Tomic, currently ranked No.418 in the world, wasted no time in doubling down on his bold claims either.
“He knows he can’t change that, he can’t re-write that and he would love to shut me up if he could, he knows he can’t," Tomic said.
“He knows my style dominates his and he knows he will lose.”
It sparked a fiery response from Kyrgkios who wrote: “HAHA TOMIC let’s not forget the time I paid for your flight home from Shanghai because you had no money.
“Hahahaha re-write history, you are the most HATED athlete in Australia.
“You are right, no one can take over that.”
Just to rub a bit more salt in the wound, Kyrgios then shared a screenshot of some of Tomic's recent results on the ATP Challenger circuit - none of which were particularly inspirational.
“Bernard, I didn’t realise it was this bad. I low key feel bad now," Kyrgios added.
“Hit me up if you need me to help you remember how to play. Geezus.”
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