He won’t wield a racquet at Roland-Garros but Nick Kyrgios is still managing to cause a stir.
The injured Australian has done his best to reignite his feud with Stan Wawrinka ahead of the Swiss star’s second round clash with Thanasi Kokkinakis on Wednesday night (AEST).
Kyrgios was widely panned for his vulgar 2015 on court sledge in which he told Wawrinka: “Kokkinakis banged your girlfriend – sorry to tell you that, mate.”
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Kyrgios was referring to Wawrinka’s then girlfriend Donna Vekic, who had previously played mixed doubles with Kokkinakis.
Kyrgios apologised after being slapped with a $13,580 fine and a suspended one month ban.
But the 28-year-old couldn’t help himself as he issued an inflammatory preview on Twitter.
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It will be the first ever meeting between Wawrinka and Kokkinakis but Australian great Wally Masur didn’t think the history would lead to any byplay between the pair.
“I actually don’t. I think there’s a third party stirring it up,” Masur said on Stan Sport’s Grand Slam Daily.
“I think the actual protagonists will just get on with the tennis… nothing like tweeting from the side.”
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Masur is tipping Kokkinakis to beat the 38-year-old Wawrinka.
“Stan is an awesome player, there is no doubt about that, but he’s not the standard of yesteryear and he’s carrying a few pounds,” he said.
“Let’s not forget he had a long five set match in the previous round. There will be a little bit of residual effect from that and I think Thanasi is in a really good place if the conditions stay as they are – lively fast and hot – I think it’ll suit Thanasi down to the ground.”
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