Locker room footage has emerged of the aftermath of an altercation in which Nick Kyrgios claims he was threatened.
Standing next to his doubles partner, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Kyrgios explains to his entourage what went down in the locker room after their stunning upset of the No.1 seeds.
Kyrgios tweeted this morning, claiming the coach and trainer of Croatian pairing Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic wanted to fight him in the players’ gym following the Aussies’ 7-6 (10-8) 6-3 victory.
LIVE UPDATES: Aussie greats weigh in on Kyrgios altercation
READ MORE: Second star blasts ‘disrespectful’ Aussie crowds
READ MORE: Barty ‘taunts’ Italian in the ‘nicest possible way’
https://twitter.com/NickKyrgios/status/1484660699557412864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
And Wide World of Sports can reveal the moment after the Aussie stars emerged from the locker room to be greeted by their entourage.
Speaking on Nine’s Australian Open coverage this morning, Sam Groth revealed Kokkinakis had sent him a text message as the astonishing chain of events was unfolding.
Stream every match, every court of the Australian Open live and free on 9Now.
“Thanasi actually messaged me as it was happening,” he said on Nine’s Australian Open coverage.
“He said Nick got accosted in the locker room by Pavic’s fitness trainer. Obviously they weren’t very happy, the No.1 team in the world, the No.1 seeds going down against Thanasi and Nick and didn’t accept what was going on with the crowd, what was going on with Nick.
“I think it’s just a little bit soft to take it off the court and into the locker room, and not even from the players, from someone from the team. It’s not necessary.”
Former Wimbledon and US Open finalist Mark Philippoussis said there was nothing wrong with Kyrgios and Kokkinakkis’ aggressive play during the doubles match, which was apparently what riled the Croatian team’s camp.
“In doubles, you’re playing good doubles players with great hands,” Philippoussis said.
“If you get a short ball you’re going straight at the guy at the net. You say sorry, you might not mean it, but you say sorry. That’s the play, you go straight for him, they’ve got a racquet there for a reason – to protect yourself.
“Maybe the whole disappointment of losing, being the No.1 seed, having a huge year last year, and with the crowd atmosphere being amazing yesterday, I’m sure a lot of things pushed them over the edge.”
Kyrgios’ tweet drew the attention of several other members of the tennis fraternity, with the Aussie’s hitting partner Matt Reid, joking: “I’m more impressed you were in the gym after the match.”
https://twitter.com/MattReid12345/status/1484675066965405696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Luke Saville, 2020 Australian Open doubles finalist, was amused by Kyrgios’ use of the phrase “chop fest” to describe a doubles match.
https://twitter.com/LukeSaville18/status/1484684299077324800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!