Stan Wawrinka says Nick Kyrgios still hasn’t properly apologised for crude remark
Swiss ace talks after his narrow three-set win over Croatia’s Borna Coric
Stan Wawrinka accused Aussie bad boy Nick Kyrgios of failing to properly apologise for his lurid outburst towards the Swiss star here Wednesday after struggling into the third round of the ATP Cincinnati Masters event.
Kyrgios made worldwide headlines last week after crude remarks concerning Wawrinka’s reported girlfriend, teenager Donna Vekic, during a match against the Swiss ace in Montreal.
World number five Wawrinka admitted the controversy was still on his mind on Wednesday after fighting back from a set down to defeat Croatia’s Borna Coric 3-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-3.
Kyrgios, who was fined by the ATP for his courtside sledge, later issued a statement apologising for his remarks, insisting they were made “in the heat of the moment.”
However Wawrinka said Kyrgios’s apology didn’t go far enough.
“He didn’t really apologise to the people. He should. That’s it. That simple,” Wawrinka said.
“There was a lot of anger in the locker room about what he did. As a player, you realise more what he did and what is the consequence for the private lives of people involved.
“I know how myself, I know how I get ready for a Grand Slam. I know how I deal with everything. I’m sure I’m going to be ready for US Open,” said the double grand slam winner.
“For sure I was struggling today to be completely on the court and to fight the way I wanted. It’s been some tough days for some people, and it’s always difficult to completely focus on the tennis court.”
Kyrgios triggered widespread revulsion for his on-court taunt to Wawrinka that fellow Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis had had a fling with WTA professional Vekic.
Vekic, 19, finally made her own response after being dropped into the controversy. “It’s not easy but I’m trying to focus on tennis and my next match,” she told The Province newspaper in Vancouver.
“I haven’t spoken to Kyrgios. But it’s a very disappointing thing to be happening in our sport and I hope it won’t happen again because it’s not a very good image for our sport.”
Meanwhile Kokkinakis lost on Wednesday, going down to 12th seed Richard Gasquet 7-6 (7-5), 6-2, a day after the Frenchman eliminated Kyrgios.
Belgian David Goffin, seeded 13th, beat Fernando Verdasco 6-4, 7-6 (7-4); the 15th-seeded South African Kevin Anderson defeated Jack Sock 6-3, 7-6 (9-7).