Nick Kyrgios takes aim at Kane Cornes over ‘child’ label as off-court battles mount
A war of words has blown up between two of the most outspoken figures in Australian sport — Tennis star Nick Kyrgios and AFL commentator Kane Cornes.
On the back of his straight sets opening round loss at the Australian Open to the UK’s Jacob Fearnley, Cornes — a former Port Adelaide player and now Channel 7 analyst — labelled Kyrgios a “child” who never delivered on his immense talent.
During the 29-year-old’s loss, he had a number of trademark tantrums, often swearing and yelling at his camp, while ultimately going down after a two-year grand slam hiatus.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“I just feel we talk about this guy too much,” Cornes said on SEN on Thursday.
“He sits on his high horse and criticises everyone, be that ball kids, line judges, other opponents.
“He’s a child. He’s a 29-year-old child. The way that he carries himself, the ambassador that he’s been, put all that in the mix, I think no one has disappointed more.
“No one has been spoken about more with less results than this guy over a long period of time.”
Kyrgios, who has never let a bad word against him slide before, fired back at the outspoken AFL expert.
“Gotta love comments from a athlete who didn’t play a global sport, appreciate the kind works brother x,” he posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Kyrgios later wrote that he did not even know who the ex-AFL player was.
It came less than 24 hours after Kyrgios launched a tirade against Australian great Todd Woodbridge after questioning good friend Thanasi Kokkinakis’ preparation for the Australian Open.
Kyrgios labelled the doubles champion as ‘jealous’ after Woodbridge said Kokkinakis was more interested in money than getting the most out of his tennis.
“We out here earning 6-7 figures at these ‘exo’s’ – we have every right to go and get that money!!,” Kyrgios posted on Instagram.
“The game is much more physical now than when some of these older heads played.
“Don’t be jealous we earning bread!!”
Kyrgios was supposed to team up with Kokkinakis as they looked to replicate the heights of their 2022 doubles triumph however another injury blow for Kokkinakis in his second-round loss to Jack Draper leaves that in doubt.
