Former Davis Cup star Sam Groth has ripped the camp of star Croatian doubles pairing Nikola Metkic and Mate Pavic for the way they behaved in the post-script to their unexpected loss to Aussie stars Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Yesterday morning Kyrgios dropped a bombshell by outing the coach and trainer of the Croatian pair for attempting to “fight” him in the players’ gym on Friday night, immediately following the match.
https://twitter.com/NickKyrgios/status/1484660699557412864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Australian Open boss Craig Tiley told Nine’s Today this morning that the altercation was under investigation.
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Groth was one of the first people outside the locker room, where the altercation occurred, to find out about it, receiving a text message from Kokkinakis explaining why he and Kyrgios were abandoning an interview that had been teed up with Nine.
Speaking on Wide World of Sports’ The Morning Serve, Groth said the reason behind the tension was “ridiculous” if indeed the Croatians were upset that Kyrgios had ripped the ball intentionally at one of his opponents mid-rally, while they were up at the net.
“I think it’s a little bit ridiculous,” Groth said.
“I heard from Thanasi straight away that it was happening, because we were trying to get them for an interview but they were trying to get out of there as quickly as possible.
“But, you know, things happen on a tennis court. It’s tennis, you’ve got to win the tennis match, it’s doubles, you don’t want to give the guy an easy volley at the net, I’ve got no problem with banging a ball straight through a guy on the net.”
Groth added that deliberately targeting an opponent at the net was “a normal play”.
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He said that beneath the animosity from the Croatians was a case of sour grapes, having copped a rough draw as the No.1 seeds when they were forced to meet Kyrgios and Kokkinakis at their home Slam.
“Mektic and Pavic have been the best team in the world for the last year for sure. They won Wimbledon, won nine titles last year, won the Olympic gold medal,” Groth said.
“They wouldn’t have wanted to see Nick and Thanasi on the other side of the net, that’s for sure, and all they’re going to see now is the back of the plane seat in front of them as they head back home.
“I’m not going to lie, Kokkinakis/Kyrgios, they’re a dangerous threat to this tournament.”
Kyrgios has been at his showman best this tournament, but he’s also won praise for his effort after pushing world No.2 Daniil Medvedev hard for four sets in the second round of the singles draw.
While he and Kokkinakis are better known for their feats in singles, they have history together in doubles that adds weight to Groth’s claims that they are “a dangerous threat” to the doubles title, having won junior Wimbledon together in 2013.
Doubles legend Todd Woodbridge also believes Kyrgios and Kokkinakis have what it takes to go all the way and lift the Australian Open doubles title if they can focus on the prize before them, not just on antics that whip crowds into a frenzy.
According to Groth, Kyrgios has proved he can get the balance right.
“Not everyone agrees with the way he goes about things, but as I say, he’s bringing new fans to the sport and we’re embracing him more and more, especially this year at the Aussie Open because of the performances he’s actually putting on as well,” Groth said.
“Yes it’s a show, but when it’s a show and only a show and the tennis doesn’t come with it I think we all question why he’s doing it.
“This year he’s brought terrific tennis, they’re winning doubles matches, you can’t question his commitment when he’s playing as well as he is and if the show comes with it, I mean I’m all for it. I’m critical of when he doesn’t try but at the moment the tennis is good and the show’s even better.
“I think they can win it. There’s a long way to go, so for Nick and Thanasi it’s about doing the right thing every match.
“These doubles guys know their craft but there’s no one, no one in this draw who wants to see those two on the other side of the net.”
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