Controversial Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios hasn’t taken his Newcombe Medal snub well, blasting the disrespect he says was shown by Ash Barty’s win.
Kyrgios and Barty were the biggest contenders for the title of Australia’s best tennis player in 2022, with the winner announced on Monday night.
But it was the now-retired Barty who took home the crown – a remarkable fifth consecutive Newcombe Medal win.
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Despite a Wimbledon final appearance and doubles grand slam victories, Kyrgios was overlooked as winner – and he didn’t take it too kindly.
“LOL. No respect at all,” he posted on social media.
“I don’t give a f**k.”
He posted the message alongside a graphic showing his superior 4-3 title count and his 61-14 match win record compared to Barty.
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Just last week Kyrgios claimed 2022 was the “first year” he felt he had the respect of Australian fans.
“I feel like this is the first year I’ve earned respect when it should have been given when I first came on tour,” he said.
“I’ve represented them, put them on the map, and having produced one of the most successful male years in the last decade for Australia, and am only just getting embraced (now), I don’t think that’s my fault.”
It’s not the first time Kyrgios has taken a swipe at Tennis Australia after last week claiming he may never represent Australia again.
Kyrgios opted against playing for Australia in the Davis Cup, to instead focus a potential seven-figure payday at the Diriyah Tennis Cup exhibition event.
“At this point of my career, I’ll always do what’s best for me,” Kyrgios said at the time.
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“Maybe if Australia embraced me a little bit more, I would play it and bring home the trophy.
“But who knows?”
“I can travel around the world playing exhibitions around this time of year for six figures – you know I feel I put myself in that position – so it’s an easy one for me.
“I’ll easily take time with my family and my girlfriend and enjoy experiences around the world and earn that type of money rather than play a week away in something where I wouldn’t be able to be with my girlfriend and I’m not getting paid that well.”
Kyrgios ended up being a first round loser in that Diriyah Tennis Cup singles race, but progressed to the semi finals in the doubles.