Nick Kyrgios' Comments About Ash Barty Branded 'Extremely Disrespectful' By Fans

Nick Kyrgios has come under fire from some people following his latest comments about fellow compatriot Ash Barty.

It was a night to remember for Australia as hometown tennis heroes Thanasi Kokkinakis and Kyrgios won their first Grand Slam in the doubles while Barty became the first Aussie in 44 years to win a singles title at the Australian Open.

But in the aftermath of the historic evening, fan favourite Kyrgios appeared to upset a few people with remarks he made in regards to world No.1 Barty.

Appearing in his post-match press conference, Kyrgios was asked about the electric atmosphere he helped build alongside doubles partner Kokkinakis.

"I would say that we've created probably the best atmosphere this tournament has ever seen, to be brutally honest with you," Kyrgios told reporters after the Grand Slam victory.

"Ash (Barty's) father came to us and said the crowd was the best he's ever seen. Obviously Ash is a hell of a player, but I think the ratings speak for themselves.

"The ratings speak for themselves. People watch my matches, everywhere I play around the world the stadiums are full for that reason.

"So I don't think those people that are screaming out before points, that's got nothing to do with us.

"But there's a reason why the ratings are the way they are and people are glued to the TV when we play. It speaks for itself really."

The comments appear to have rubbed people the wrong way with Kyrgios now facing some pretty heavy backlash.

ABC's Offsiders host Kelli Underwood described the remarks as "extremely disrespectful" and "tone deaf".

English tennis commentator Catherine Whitaker also waded in.

"My jaw dropped when I read those quotes and I thought it might have been one of those where the quote is written down and it looks a bit worse than when you see the clip, sometimes that can be the case with press conferences," Whitaker told Offsiders.

"But it's not the case in this instance. I mean, on a night that was about Ash Barty, without question, to say that, it is pretty extraordinary."

But as other piled in on social media, it didn't take long for Kyrgios himself to return serve.

Instagram

"F**k you media," Kyrgios wrote.

"Honestly, I said nothing disrespectful to @ashbarty - I said that the crowd this year was amazing and I feel as if @the_kokk1 and I were a big part of that.

"Ash's father came to me and even said that.

"All I said was that when people watch me around the world the stadiums are full, I grew up with Ash and always knew her potential."

According to reports, Barty's match against Danielle Collins was the most-watched women's final since the current ratings system began in 1999.

But records aside, for the country of Australia, it was just incredible to see a number of homegrown stars get their hands on silverware in one of the most incredible tennis tournaments since the start of the pandemic.

Topics: Ash Barty, Nick Kyrgios, Australian Open, Australia, Ash Barty, Nick Kyrgios, Australian Open, Australia