Nick Kyrgios facing backlash over comment about Carlos Alcaraz and 'girls' amid Emma Raducanu rumours

Nick Kyrgios is facing backlash over a comment made about reigning Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz.

The Spaniard is through to the third round of Wimbledon and competes on Friday against Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff.

Weeks after the tournament concludes, Alcaraz will compete in the US Open mixed doubles tournament alongside Emma Raducanu.

Nine of the top 10 men's players, including Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic, have all entered.

And nine of the top 10 women's players, including Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek and Jasmine Paolini, are also involved.

Despite his inactivity in recent years due to various injuries, Kyrgios has also entered in the competition and will partner with four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka.

Despite missing out on Wimbledon - and a spot on the BBC's punditry team for the tournament - Kyrgios has been seen in SW19.

On Wednesday, he was spotted watching Osaka during her second round win over Katerina Siniakova on Wednesday - something the Japanese women's star joked was a 'little bit embarrassing' upon finding out, as she hadn't seen him.

Elsewhere, Kyrgios has been known for his controversial comments in the past, and he has made another one when comparing men's world number one Sinner and second-ranked Alcaraz.

In an interview with tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou, the Australian was asked which of the duo he believes will have a stronger overall career.

And his answer surprised fans.

"I choose Sinner, because Alcaraz loves girls," he replied. "He could get distracted, he might party too much.

"That's my only thing. Sinner will stay more locked in I think."

Mouratgolou added: "If you look at this season, Alcaraz is losing so many more matches than Sinner. And you're thinking, he should not. Why? Because he's not always there."

The comment, however, did not go down well among fans.

One asked: "Wtf are these people talking about?"

A second wrote: "Such an unprofessional take but right on brand for Kyrgios."

such a weirdass & unprofessional take but right on brand for Kyrgios.

A third asked: "Where is this 'Alcaraz loves girls' even coming from?"

And a fourth wrote: "Someone is desperate for attention."

Alcaraz's upcoming mixed doubles partnership with Raducanu has led to rumours of a relationship between the pair - which have been repeatedly shut down by both players, who have been friends for several years.

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