Kyrgios sledges Wawrinka and 'slut-shames' 'girlfriend' Vekic
Swiss player demands action after Australian tennis bad boy's insult is caught on camera
Tennis badboy Nick Kyrgios has provoked outrage after sledging opponent Stan Wawrinka and "slut-shaming" his girlfriend at a tournament in Canada.
The Australian was caught on camera mouthing off at his rival as they changed ends during a clash at the Montreal Masters, and was heard telling the Swiss: "Kokkinakis banged your girlfriend. Sorry to tell you that mate."
His comment is believed to be a reference to rumours of a recent romance between Wawrinka, who split from his wife earlier this year, and 19-year-old Croatian player Donna Vekic. The other player Kyrgios mentions is fellow Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis, a friend of Vekic who was her mixed doubles partner at the 2014 Australian Open.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Wawrinka appeared not to hear the comment at the time, but posted a series of furious tweets after conceding the match in the third set with a back problem.
He described Kyrgios's actions as "unacceptable" and added: "There is no need for this kind of behaviour on or off the court and I hope the governing body... does not stand for this and stands up for the integrity of this sport that we have worked so hard to build."
The Australian player later claimed that his comment was a retaliation after Wawrinka started "getting a bit lippy with me".
The 20-year-old, ranked 40 in the world and tipped for greatness by some, has "fast become the biggest brat on the tennis circuit", says the Daily Mail. His comments meant the "gentleman's game" had "descended from strawberries and cream into rancour", reports The Times.
Kyrgios rose to prominence after beating Rafa Nadal at Wimbledon in 2014, but has made the headlines for all the wrong reasons since then. "Kyrgios is one of the most colourful and controversial characters on the circuit, with his antics ranging from on-court outbursts at match officials to being accused of giving up half-way through a match at Wimbledon earlier this year," says the Daily Telegraph. "But his exploits on Wednesday night have caused arguably the greatest controversy yet."
Aside from the bad blood the incident has created between the two players, others were concerned about the effect on Vekic, who many felt had been "slut-shamed" by the Australian player.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The CIA is openly recruiting foreign spies in other countries
In the Spotlight The agency is posting instructions in multiple languages for people to contact them
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
'People want to understand food — but only to a point'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
How do cash-back apps work and are they worth it?
The Explainer Put a percentage of the amount you spend back in your pocket
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
English cricket is ‘racist, sexist and elitist’, says independent report
Speed Read Chair of governing body apologises after crushing indictment of the sport ‘at all levels’
By Rebekah Evans Published
-
Sports shorts: Liverpool victory, Lord's turns red, Kyrgios sees red
Daily Briefing Ten things from the world of sport on Thursday 15 August
By The Week Staff Published
-
World Cup 2018: Argentina FA sorry over flirting manual
Speed Read Handbook given to journalists includes chapter on how to woo Russian girls
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Teenage golfer denied trophy because she’s a girl
In Depth 16-year-old Emily Nash also missed out on the chance to compete at state level due to club rules
By The Week Staff Published
-
Lewes FC becomes first to pay men and women the same
Speed Read Sussex club hands equal budget to both sexes and same coaching and training facilities
By The Week Staff Published
-
Andy Murray praised for correcting press conference 'sexism'
In Depth BBC journalist omitted women from list of US players to make Wimbledon semis
By The Week Staff Published
-
Rafa Nadal wins tenth French Open – the incredible statistics
In Depth The Spaniard's dominance on clay continues as he swats aside Wawrinka to claim a record-breaking title
By The Week Staff Published
-
Murray hopeful as he powers into French Open semi-finals
The Week Recommends World number one makes it four semi-finals in a row at Roland Garros, but can he finally win on clay?
By The Week Staff Published