Australian Open doubles finalist Max Purcell has played down his rift with Nick Kyrgios, after the latter called him “a donut” in response to comments he made in the lead up to and after the doubles final.
Purcell stoked the fire on social media ahead of the eventual loss to Kyrgios and Kokkinakis, commenting on Instagram that their countryman were “extremely disrespectful to their opponents”.
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He then made comments after the final which got on Kyrgios’ nerves, even though they were directed at the crowd.
“I think it was great for ticket sales here but I’m not so sure how it was taken overseas,” Purcell said.
“If you’re watching some of Nick and Thanasi’s matches earlier in the week and you’re overseas, maybe you get turned off tennis a little bit.
“The fact that we are Australian; I don’t think they went as hard on us as they have the rest of them. I’m grateful for that.”
Kyrgios launched back at Purcell via his Instagram account on Sunday night, with the world No.113 telling Purcell “people would rather watch paint dry than your serve-and-volley game style.”
Speaking to Triple M, Purcell still stuck by his line that the crowd’s at the “Special K’s” earlier matches were not “respectful”.
“They were bringing a lot to the sport, so I can’t take anything away from that,” Purcell said.
“They’re an exciting bloody pair to watch and play against, but I just think some of the crowds they were bringing weren’t quite respectful enough for their opponents.
“I’ve got nothing against them. When Matty and I are playing, we’re trying to get the crowd involved (as well), but I just think the crowd took it upon themselves to go a little too far.
“But I think it’s great for tennis … it’s promotion for the sport. Doubles isn’t exactly huge out there, so the more coverage we got, the better.
“It just would have been nice to see the crowd in earlier matches being a little more respectful.”
Purcell was grateful for the opportunity to play at night after Barty’s singles final rather than during the afternoon, as he did in his first Australian Open doubles decider two years ago.
“It’s definitely the biggest and loudest crowd I’ve ever played in front of,” he said.
“Thank god they were behaving themselves, for the most part, instead of all the other matches when they were supporting the other boys.”
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