Nick Kyrgios, the tennis pro, doesn’t think he owes anyone anything. At least, that’s what he says. He’s dismissed Boris Becker’s claims that he owes his position to those who came before him.
In recent days, Kyrgios and Becker have been going at it on social media. It all started when Kyrgios made some comments that didn’t sit well with Becker. The Australian player compared eras in an interview, saying that today’s players, which includes him, are better than past legends.
Becker was one of the older players Kyrgios mentioned. He said Becker would struggle in today’s tennis. It’s a nuanced take, and it’s probably true. But it doesn’t have much to do with Becker’s legendary talent.
Becker didn’t take this lying down. He responded, and then Kyrgios responded, and then Becker responded again. In his final response, Becker argued that older generations made tennis what it is today. They paved the way for players like Kyrgios to take a year off without worrying about money, thanks to the sport’s lucrative nature.
Kyrgios had a comeback for that too. He said he’s been bringing millions of fans to the sport for years, making money for everyone. He mentioned his Wimbledon run to the final, which was featured in Break Point.
Kyrgios’s response is interesting. He’s always been a crowd magnet, but it’s hard to say how much that’s contributed to other players’ earnings. Either way, expect more of these exchanges in the coming days. Neither player seems keen on backing down.
Takeaways
‣ Nick Kyrgios and Boris Becker have been involved in a public dispute on social media, with Kyrgios rejecting Becker’s claim that he owes his position to past tennis legends.
‣ Kyrgios has argued that he has brought millions of fans to the sport and has made money for everyone, without the help of others.
‣ The dispute shows no signs of ending, with neither party appearing willing to back down.
