Nick Kyrgios recalled the on-court controversy with Stan Wawrinka back in 2015.
The 29-year-old has developed a reputation for being a mercurial athlete, extremely talented yet controversial.
On his day he can defeat any player with his electric yet creative shotmaking ability, but he has been unable to stay consistent throughout his career.
Kyrgios has never been afraid to speak his mind and whether it’s on or off court, and one of the most evident examples of this was against Wawrinka in their meeting at the Canadian Open.
What would Nick Kyrgios like to say to Stan Wawrinka now?
Nick Kyrgios played Stan Wawrinka six times in his career, but perhaps their most memorable encounter was at the Canadian Open in 2015.
During the contest, Kyrgios made a comment about Wawrinka’s girlfriend at the time, that left the three-time Grand Slam champion fuming.
Fast forward to 2024 on an episode of the Louis Theroux Podcast, Kyrgios recalled the incident and stated what he would now like to say to Wawrinka about the incident.
“There is a whole story as to why it came out! We were just going back and forth, back and forth. He wasn’t talking s— but he was trying to hit me in the head with a tennis ball and I was like what is this guy’s problem?,” the Australian said.
“Which I love, by the way, when someone is doing that to me I’m like okay, I am inside their head. I am right where I want to be. I know they are not focusing on their game. Then it kept boiling over and boiling over and I was 19 and I said it. That’s it. Big deal. You lost the match, see you next match, see you next week.
“We have seen each other since. We have played each other since. I have huge respect for him, hopefully I would say to his face I have grown up since I was 19 years old. But we are all not perfect.”
What happened between Nick Kyrgios and Stan Wawrinka at the 2015 Canadian Open?
Kyrgios and Wawrinka played one another at the 2015 Canadian Open in what was their first meeting on a hard court.
The former World number 13 was not happy with his opponent and in response, he made a very controversial remark about Wawrinka’s girlfriend at the time, which referenced his friend and doubles partner Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Wawrinka, who withdrew from the match in the third set due to injury, said at the time: “There is no need for this kind of behaviour. I really hope the ATP will take major action against him this time.”
He added on X: “What was said I wouldn’t say to my worst enemy. To stop so low is not only unacceptable but also beyond belief. In response, Kyrgios explained why he made the comment.
“He was getting a bit lippy with me,” he explained. “Kind of in the heat of the moment, I don’t know, I just said it.”
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
