Nick Kyrgios springs to the defence of Matteo Berretini after the Italian star was criticised by a tennis legend for caring too much about sponsors: ‘For some of us, money is important’
- Nick Kyrgios defends tennis rival Matteo Berretini
- Berretini’s been criticised for prioritising sponsorships
- Kyrgios says Italian can do what he wants off court
Aussie tennis bad boy Nick Kyrgios has defended Matteo Berrettini after the Italian tennis star was criticised by a tennis legend for focusing more on advertising himself than playing the game.
Former two-time Grand Slam champion Nicola Pietrangeli blasted the young Italian after his surprise first-round defeat to Andy Murray at the Australian Open.
‘He is handsome but his legs don’t move the way they should on court,’ the 89-year-old told Gazetta dello Sport.
‘He is a good boy, but he is a bit like (Adriano) Panatta was: fantastic from the waist up, but the legs don’t move as they should.’
‘He is too concerned with advertising. Sinner is the best Italian player.’
Aussie tennis bad boy Nick Kyrgios has defended Matteo Berrettini (pictured) after the tennis star was criticised by an Italian tennis legend for focusing more on his sponsors than playing the game
Kyrgios, who was previously in a relationship with Berrettini’s ex-girlfriend Ajla Tomljanovic, took to Twitter to defend Berrettini, arguing that he can do what he wants
The Italians haven’t had a male Grand Slam champion since 1976 when Adriano Panatta won the French Open. Currently Jannik Sinner is their top ranked player.
Kyrgios, who previously was in a relationship with Berrettini’s ex-girlfriend Ajla Tomljanovic, took to Twitter to defend Berrettini, arguing that he can do what he wants.
‘Isn’t it his choice to prioritise?’ said Kyrgios.
‘I can assure you this, he is making more bank than Sinner off the court and for some of us, money is important.’
Berrettini is very popular with advertisers and has his own clothing range with fashion giant Hugo Boss. He has also won over $10million in prize money from tennis.
Kyrgios famously snubbed the Australian Davis Cup team to play in Saudi Arabia last year, posting online that he will take home ‘six figures’.
‘Saudi Arabia and Dubai is all that’s left,’ he said towards the end of the year. ‘You know I gotta get the bag.’
Berrettini is very popular with advertisers and has his own clothing range with fashion giant Hugo Boss
Kyrgios chose money over country last year, posting online that he will take home ‘six figures’ in Saudi Arabia instead of playing in Davis Cup
His huge Saudi earnings rounded off a superb 2022 season in which he reached the final at Wimbledon, won the Washington Open as well as taking out the doubles title alongside Thanasi Kokkinakis at the Australian Open.
Kyrgios is currently sidelined from tennis after undergoing an operation on his knee.
A return to play date has not yet been revealed for the Aussie star.
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