Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has launched a scathing attack on former British number one Greg Rusedski, after the pundit questioned whether Kyrgios deserves a wildcard entry into the upcoming Australian Open.
The Wildcard Debate Heats Up
Kyrgios, currently ranked 671st in the world, is preparing for his return to professional tennis at the Brisbane International, his first ATP match since March. His comeback follows a lengthy period sidelined with injury, though he did participate in a high-profile 'Battle of the Sexes' exhibition match last week. Despite his victory over world number one Aryna Sabalenka in that event, Rusedski was not convinced of his readiness for a Grand Slam.
Speaking on the Off-Court podcast, Rusedski argued that Kyrgios would need "phenomenal results" in Brisbane to justify a wildcard. "He doesn't look in the right shape to play," Rusedski stated, adding that Tennis Australia should consider giving opportunities to younger Australian players instead. While acknowledging Kyrgios's box-office appeal, Rusedski concluded, "from that performance and what he looked like physically, I wouldn't do it."
Kyrgios's Vicious Retort
Never one to shy away from controversy, Kyrgios responded with characteristic ferocity. In an interview with 9News, he immediately targeted Rusedski's own chequered past, referencing the pundit's failed drug test in 2004. "I'm pretty sure Greg got done for performance-enhancing drugs one time in his career, so I wouldn't take too much advice from someone like that," Kyrgios remarked. He further challenged Rusedski's credibility by asking, "Remind me when the last time he sold out one of his matches."
Rusedski was cleared of knowingly taking the steroid nandrolone after a tribunal accepted he had ingested it inadvertently via supplements provided by ATP trainers. However, Kyrgios used the incident to dismiss his critic's opinion entirely.
A Conscience About the Wildcard
Despite the fiery exchange, Kyrgios later showed a more reflective side regarding the wildcard dilemma. Speaking at his pre-tournament press conference in Brisbane, he recalled how compatriot John Millman once gave up a wildcard for him at the French Open when injured—an act Kyrgios said changed his career.
He conceded that he would only accept a wildcard for Melbourne if he felt physically capable of delivering a performance worthy of fans' investment. "People are paying good money to be there," Kyrgios said. "If I can't give them the Kyrgios experience I would genuinely rather give it to someone that earned the wildcard and is in tip-top shape to start off something special in their career."
The drama sets the stage for Kyrgios's competitive return in Brisbane, where his results will now be scrutinised more than ever in the court of public opinion and by Tennis Australia's selectors.
