FORMER WORLD NO.1 FED UP WITH ‘RIDICULOUS’ KYRGIOS BEHAVIOUR

Former world No.1 Andy Roddick has slammed Nick Kyrgios for his “ridiculous” behaviour after his latest attempt to stir the pot.

Not for the first time, the 2003 US Open winner is embroiled in a feud with the former world No.13 Aussie.

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It comes after 16-year-old Cruz Hewitt posted a photo of himself and reigning Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner on Instagram after a practice session on Rod Laver Arena, only for Kyrgios to spam the comments section.

Speaking on his Served with Andy Roddick podcast, the 42-year-old American didn’t hold back.

“I have decided to lay off because there is this weird thing where he wants the likes. At this point he is a tennis influencer. He lives for likes, he lives in the comments section,” a blunt and honest Roddick said.

“But what I have an issue with is the hypocrisy with which he picks and chooses when to levy judgement on others while also wanting you to digest the context of his comments – the latest being towards Cruz Hewitt who practiced with Jannik Sinner.

“Kyrgios has been the single most outspoken critic of Jannik on the heels of his failed doping test. So Cruz is 16 years old, son of Lleyton and the toughest competitor that I have ever played in my life, gets to hit with a guy who is number one in the world at the Australian Open. That is a big deal.

“Imagine as an almost 30 year old man, going into the comments of a 16 year old who is the best player in the world. If you think he is guilty or not guilty, it’s still a moment when you get to do that.

“That’s a big moment and to simply post a picture and then have this guy go into the comments and make it all about himself. ‘I thought we were bros’.

“The defence was all made that it was a joke. The lack of awareness you have with bringing trolls and all of the worst of tennis fandom into a 16-year-old’s comments is ridiculous. It’s ridiculous.”

Yesterday, Kyrgios announced via his Instagram story that he has suffered a grade one abdominal injury, casting uncertainty around his Australian Open campaign.

However, Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley remains adamant that the outspoken star will feature at Melbourne Park this month.

"I'll have a chat to him when he gets in this afternoon, but it's just precautionary... quite a few players do that – it's normal," Tiley said.

"No concerns at this point heading into the Australian Open… with these exhibition events we have, if someone's not 100 per cent ready to play, then they're not going to play.

"He's got to do what's best for him to get ready for the Australian Open. Nick will play."

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