‘What are you talking about?’ Kyrgios blasts Thiem in virus row
- Australian star questions Austrian’s intelligence after he’s told to stop criticising Zverev and Djokovic for taking risks with the coronavirus
- ‘None of you have the intellectual level to even understand where I’m coming from,’ says controversial world No 40
Outspoken Australian Nick Kyrgios questioned Dominic Thiem’s intellect on Wednesday after the world number three told him to stop criticising fellow tennis stars Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic for taking risks with the coronavirus.
Kyrgios said Thiem wasn’t on the same “intellectual level” after the Austrian called his criticism “cheap” and claimed it was “bad luck” that Zverev was caught partying after promising to self-isolate.
Djokovic, Grigor Dimitrov, Borna Coric and Viktor Troicki all tested positive for Covid-19 after last month’s Adria Tour, an exhibition series with minimal social distancing where Thiem and Zverev also played.
“Kyrgios has really done a lot of nonsense himself. That’s why I understand even less when he interferes everywhere,” Thiem told German media this week.
“It would be better for him to come clean instead of always criticising others.”
The Australian shot back on Twitter.
“What are you talking about @ThiemDomi? Mistakes like smashing racquets? Swearing? Tanking a few matches here or there? Which everyone does?