Nick Kyrgios makes allegiances clear after Wawrinka and Rune bust-up
Nick Kyrgios has given his backing to Holger Rune following the Dane’s bust-up with Stan Wawrinka at Indian Wells. The pair have history from last year’s Paris Masters when it’s believed the Swiss told the teenager to “stop acting like a baby.”
Wawrinka was eventually silenced by the 19-year-old, who came from behind to clinch a dramatic victory in the Round of 64 last November.
Yet this time around, it was Wawrinka that reigned supreme in the Round of 32 at Indian Wells as he recorded a 6-2, 6-7, 7-5 victory.
But it was not the result that was the major talking point as tensions once again boiled over between the two competitors.
Rune started the confrontation at the net as they shook hands after the match.
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He appeared to say to Wawrinka “so you’ve got nothing to say now?”
Kyrgios, who is no stranger to some drama, didn’t mind the flare up as he reacted to the incident on Instagram.
He wrote: “Hahahaha yeah all good when you win… typical. Holger Rune with you my brother.”
Wawrinka didn’t look willing to entertain any drama following his victory as he responded to Rune: “What do you want me to say?”
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Kyrgios’ reaction to the clip was somewhat unsurprising given he has history with Wawrinka.
The two players are understood to have clashed in a locker room at the 2015 Rogers Cup.
Wawrinka said at the time that Kyrgios had been: “disrespectful in a way I could never even imagine,” after he was captured on camera making a slur.
The Swiss tweeted after their clash: “So disappointing to see a fellow athlete and colleague be so disrespectful in a way I could never even imagine.
“What was said I wouldn’t say to my worst enemy. To stoop so low is not only unacceptable but also beyond belief.
“There is no need for this kind of behaviour on or off the court and I hope the governing body of this sport does not stand for this and stands up for the integrity of this sport that we have worked so hard to build.”
Wawrinka will now take on Jannik Sinner on Monday for a place in the quarter-finals of Indian Wells.
Meanwhile, Kyrgios decided not to travel to the US for the Sunshine Double (Indian Wells and Miami) as he continues to delay his start to the 2023 season.
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