Nick Kyrgios has reignited his most infamous feud after taking a surprise potshot at Stan Wawrinka.
The injured star on Tuesday night joined the fray surrounding Wawrinka’s heated net exchange with Holger Rune following the three-time Grand Slam champion’s upset victory at Indian Wells.
It is now almost eight years since Kyrgios made a vulgar comment about Wawrinka’s then-girlfriend Donna Vekic in the middle of a match at the Canadian Open.
The Aussie was fined for telling Wawrinka, “Kokkinakis banged your girlfriend. Sorry to tell you that, mate”.
Meanwhile, Wawrinka scored a win for the old guard on Monday, beating the 19-year-old seventh seed and will now face Jannik Sinner in the fourth round on Wednesday.
Watch Tennis Live with beIN SPORTS on Kayo. Live Coverage of ATP + WTA Tour Tournaments including Every Finals Match. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Rune and Wawrinka had a frosty exchange at the net after Rune won their previous meeting in November.
Wawrinka delivered some brutal words of advice to his younger opponent following the defeat last year.
“My advice to you is that you stop acting like a baby on the court, OK?” Wawrinka was overhead saying by on-court microphones.
Things heated up again this week as Rune this time delivered some pointed words to his rival when they met at the net.
“You’ve got nothing to say now?” Rune was overheard asking.
Wawrinka looked slightly stunned by the remark before responding: “What do you want me to say?”
The two continued to exchange barbs which ultimately weren’t audible on the courtside microphones.
The incident has been the talk of the tennis world and Kyrgios joined the conversation on Tuesday night with a pointed barb for the Swiss.
“Hahahahaha yeah all good when you win… typical,” Kyrgios wrote on his Instagram stories while sharing a Tennis TV clip of the net exchange.
“@holgerrune with you my brother.”
Kyrgios and Wawrinka have never reconciled their grievance, but have played each other four more times since the incident with Wawrinka leading the head-to-head 3-2.
Rune, meanwhile, has faced criticism over his behaviour on social media but is not backing down.
He has since posted messages on Instagram and Twitter taking shots at those criticising him.
Wawrinka also spoke about it following his match and told French-speaking press Rune is not doing himself any favours.
“He is making a reputation that he will regret,” he said.
The 37-year-old, who won the Australian Open in 2014, the French Open in 2015 and the US Open in 2016, also said Rune has amazing potential
“I should have won the match way before,” Wawrinka said. “I started feeling nervous and hesitated a little bit. He came back in the match. He is an amazing player, a young player.
“But it is special to keep winning. I really enjoy the second seek atmosphere.
“It was important to stay there mentally because I am playing well. All my career I know only one way: to keep fighting, working pushing myself and stay positive.”