Boris Becker and Nick Kyrgios exchanged verbal blows Tuesday on Twitter after the Australian branded fellow tennis star Alexander Zverev “selfish” for partying during the coronavirus pandemic, despite promising to self-isolate.
German legend Becker, a six-time Grand Slam winner, took umbrage with Kyrgios’ comment over viral footage of Zverev partying despite pledging to “follow self-isolating guidelines” after playing in Novak Djokovic’s coronavirus-hit Adria Tour.
Zverev took part in the exhibition event organised by Djokovic, who last week tested positive for Covid-19 along with Grigor Dimitrov, Borna Coric and Viktor Troicki.
The 23-year-old Zverev tested negative and vowed to isolate but was purportedly filmed at a busy bar over the weekend, leading an exasperated Kyrgios to slam his behaviour on Instagram on Monday.
Becker, the head of German men’s tennis, stood up for his compatriot and fired back at Kyrgios on Tuesday.
For goodness sake Boris, I’m not competing or trying to throw anyone under the bus. It’s a global pandemic and if someone is as idiotic as Alex to do what he has done, I’ll call him out for it. Simple.
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) June 30, 2020
Rats? For holding someone accountable? Strange way to think of it champion, I’m just looking out for people. WHEN my family and families all over the world have respectfully done the right thing. And you have a goose waving his arms around, imma say something.
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) June 30, 2020
Kyrgios quickly responded amid of flurry of back-and-forth tweets.
Kyrgios followed up with: “@TheBorisBecker is a bigger doughnut than I thought. Can hit a volley, obviously not the sharpest tool in the shed though.”
@TheBorisBecker is a bigger doughnut than I thought. 😂😂 can hit a volley, obviously not the sharpest tool in the shed though.
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) June 30, 2020
Seemingly in an attempt to cool the spat, Becker replied: “You’re funny guy ....how is it down under? Respect all the guidelines?”
However Kyrgios, who has never advanced past the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam, dismissed the former world number one, saying: “Haha nah bro I’m good, don’t act like you’re my friend now because you got sat down.”
Haha nah bro I’m good, don’t act like you’re my friend now because you got sat down.
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) June 30, 2020
Becker, a former coach to 17-time Grand Slam winner Djokovic, was unimpressed.
“I really would like to see @NickKyrgios fulfill his potential and win a grand slam! He would be an incredible role model for the youth of the world addressing the issues of equality/race/heritage! Man up buddy and deliver!” wrote Becker.
Kyrgios criticised Becker for defending Zverev, who he says should apologise for breaking his promise.
“Why are you now talking about tennis? It has nothing to do with tennis?” said the Australian.
“How about the dude who you are defending mans up and gives us some sort of explanation? Not another average management apology.”
Why are you now talking about tennis? It has nothing to do with tennis? How about the dude who you are defending mans up and gives us some sort of explanation? Not another average management apology.
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) June 30, 2020
Both world number seven Zverev and Kyrgios, ranked 40th, are due to play at an event in Berlin from July 13-19.
