BORIS BECKER has blasted Nick Kyrgios’ lack of “credibility” in an astonishing social media rant.
The former Wimbledon champion was unhappy with Kyrgios‘ claims that the stars of today would “destroy” great champions from yesteryear.
Kyrgios, who has been limited to just one match in 2023 due to knee and wrist injuries, recently gave a wide ranging interview to The Athletic.
On how the sport has evolved, the Aussie, 28, said: “The game was so slow back then.
“I’ve watched Boris Becker and I’m not saying they weren’t good in their time, but to say that they would be just as good now, it’s absurd.
“A big serve back then was like 197 to 200kmph. People like me, we serve 220 consistently, to corners. It’s a whole different ball game.
“I’m not saying they wouldn’t have found their way.
“But serve and volley, to do it all the time now, you need to be serving 220, because if you serve anything less than 220, bro, [Novak] Djokovic eats you alive. He eats you alive.
“Lleyton Hewitt destroyed [Pete] Sampras one year at the US Open. That was the first prototype of someone who could return serve.
“He made Sampras look like s***. And what would Djokovic do to someone like Sampras? It would be a cleanup. If Hewitt was doing it, Djokovic would destroy him. He would eat him alive.”
When Kyrgios’ comments were posted on social media, Becker hit back – writing: “Nick makes a lot of noise about tennis lately!?!
“Why does he speak about a sport he apparently hates… fact-check Nick has never won a major championship as a player or coach (yes doubles 1) so where is any credibility coming from?
“Trying to compare generations… Laver v Federer, Borg v Nadal, Sampras v Djokovic!?! I am not even gonna mention McEnroe, Conners, Lendl Agassi, Courier, Edberg, Wilander, Kuerten, Bruguera, Rafter, Hewitt and many more… speak to your @OnlyFans about many things but tennis!!!
Becker, 56, then added: “I wish Nick a speedy full recovery and can’t wait to see him back on a tennis court!
“He is an exciting player when he is fit! He has got a Grand Slam in his bag but you have to do the talking on the court…. good luck! @NickKyrgios.”
Last week Kyrgios launched his OnlyFans account, promising to show his “intimate side”.
He later used his new profile to confirm that he would not be playing the Australian Open in January.
Seeing Becker’s social media posts, Kyrgios later hit back.
He wrote: “Hahahaha this bloke speaking about credibility…… last I checked you were the one hiding assets no?”
Kyrgios then added: “Also I mean I’ve beaten, Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Murray so I feel like I have a little credibility…. But it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that Novak would wipe the floor against you in your prime? Like it’s not an attack. It’s just facts.”
He then continued: “And I appreciate the@OnlyFans shoutout!!!! Got the Boris Becker speaking about the brand!!!! Always knew you kept up with my business collaborations.”
The 2022 Australian Open doubles champion then replied to a number of fans’ tweets.
In one response he claimed that LeBron James would average 50 points a game in previous era of the NBA.
He then hit back at Becker again, writing: “Basically 99 per cent of the tennis tour doesn’t have credibility then? Potato, what about your boy [Alexander] Zverev? No credibilty? He hasn’t even won a doubles grandslam?”
He concluded his posts by posting: “One thing is for sure I’m not gonna be sitting here in 20-30 years time, claiming that I could compete and compare to the new kids on the block. It’s definitely an ego thing….”
Becker returned to coaching in October last year.
Having previously had a successful stint coaching Djokovic, Becker joined Holger Rune’s team.
Becker took the role after serving eight months of a two-and-a-half year sentence in a UK jail for hiding assets after declaring himself bankrupt.
He secured an early release from prison in December 2022 and was immediately deported to his homeland.
The six-time grand slam champion will not be allowed to join Rune at Wimbledon next year as he will still be banned from entering the UK under the terms of his release.
