Nick Kyrgios certainly isn’t happy with a perceived lack of ‘respect’ shown to him by Australian tennis.
The 27-year-old took to social media to make his displeasure with being overlooked for the Newcombe Medal known.
The award is Australian tennis’ top gong, and despite enjoying his most successful year in the sport, he was beaten out to the honour by retired star Ash Barty.
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The Australian Open winner took home a record fifth Newcombe Medal at the awards night, despite retiring from the sport in March.
Although her Australian Open broke the nation’s 44 year grand slam drought, and she also claimed the Adelaide International singles title before ending her career ranked number one in the world.
However, Kyrgios clearly was annoyed with not being chosen for the Newcombe Medal, with an arguably equally remarkable 2022.
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He combined with Thanasi Kokkinakis to win the Australian Open doubles title and finished runner-up in the final of Wimbledon, losing out to Novak Djokovic.
He also won four titles across the year compared to Barty’s three.
The Wimbledon finalist took to Instagram to air his grievances, sharing a graphic that compared Kyrgios’ 61 wins in 2022 and Barty’s 14 wins.
He captioned the story: “LOL. No respect at all. I don't give a f**k.”
The tennis star has been at odds with Australia in recent times, suggesting it was an ‘easy decision’ to snub representing his country at the Davis Club.
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Kyrgios played in a Sadi Arabian exhibition event instead of playing in the tournament.
He explained that he doesn’t feel inclined to represent Australia when the public sentiment isn’t overly favourable towards him.
He told AAP, via Fox Sports: “Maybe if Australia embraced me a little bit more, I would play it and bring home the trophy.”
Adding: "At this point of my career, I’ll always do what’s best for me.
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“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.
“(That) doesn’t really make sense to me and my progression as an athlete.”
And while the nation has certainly grown to respect Kyrgios over the past year, he says it’s hard to forget what public perception has been for him.
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He continued: “It’s not always easy for me to erase everything in Australia that’s said negatively about me or my family, you don’t need that - so it’s interesting that they really want me to play, but are always criticising.
“Look, I’ve always been one of the best players in the world - I’ve always held up my fair share of the bargain towards Australia.
“I feel like this is the first year I’ve earned respect when it should have been given when I first came on tour.
“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.”
Featured Image Credit: PA Images / Alamy. Frank Molter / Alamy.Topics: Australia, Tennis, Nick Kyrgios
