Nick Kyrgios has shut down an attempt by a rival ATP player to diminish the Aussie's important stance on the COVID-19 pandemic around the world.
Kyrgios has been the voice of reason in the tennis community, calling out players for their reckless and selfish behaviour that is endangering both themselves and tennis fans around the world.
Players like Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev and Dominic Thiem have all come under fire for their carefree attitude towards COVID-19.
Kyrgios found himself in disbelief when he called out Zverev for his 'selfish' actions when he breached self-isolation after the Adria Tour fiasco.
MORE: Grigor Dimitrov still feeling effects of COVID-19
Djokovic didn't escape attention for his 'stupidity' in competing and celebrating during the Adria Tour.
He also found himself schooling legend Boris Becker, the former player calling Kyrgios a 'rat' for correctly calling out Zverev and co. for their actions.
The latest misguided player to find themselves on the wrong side of the argument is world number 33, Borna Coric.
Earlier in the week, Coric came out and said he wasn't concerned by Kyrgios' criticism of the Adria Tour.
Apparently, because the criticism came from Kyrgios, it didn't count because of his track record?
Funny that, because Coric was one of the players who actually contracted COVID-19 from competing in the event. I don't remember Kyrgios endangering lives by competing in a tennis event during a pandemic.
Kyrgios replied to Coric's initial comments quite succinctly, saying he was trying to hold the players 'accountable' and accused the Croatian of having 'rocks in his head'.
First set Kyrgios.
However, Coric has now attempted to fight back in an argument that he is well and truly in the losing position of.
"Really @NickKyrgios??? You're preaching about behavior?? Bored much or too much🍷🍷?" Coric tweeted.
Really @NickKyrgios ??? You're preaching about behavior?? Bored much or too much 🍷🍷?
— borna coric (@borna_coric) July 30, 2020
Not only did Coric question Kyrgios for his public health-related stance, he decided to make a joke about it and claim the Aussie was only saying it because he was drunk.
Interesting take, clearly from a player realising they are losing the argument quite clearly and deciding to go personal instead.
Pretty easy fodder for Kyrgios who on Friday morning responded to Coric.
And if Kyrgios had already taken a one-set lead in their first back and forth, it's now game, set, match.
"Again. Joking about a global pandemic," Kyrgios tweeted.
"Shows your maturity level champion.
"Gonna be good to see you next, see if that peanut of a brain has grown."
Kyrgios also managed to get one more jab in at Coric, who has never been past the fourth-round at a Grand Slam tournament.
"But yes, a tad bored watching your boring ass tennis and personality bringing absolutely zero to the sport," Kyrgios added.
Again. Joking about a global pandemic. Shows your maturity level champion. Gonna be good to see you next, see if that peanut of a brain has grown.
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) July 30, 2020
But yes, a tad bored watching your boring ass tennis and personality bringing absolutely zero to the sport.
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) July 30, 2020
Respected tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg tweeted about the exchange and it led Kyrgios to emphasise his point once again.
"There was also a time where people had brains," Kyrgios wrote.
"Comparing on court behaviour to putting lives at risk 🤦🏽♂️ it’s embarrassing."
There was also a time where people had brains. Comparing on court behaviour to putting lives at risk 🤦🏽♂️ it’s embarrassing.
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) July 30, 2020
Champion. Peanut. A time where people had brains.
Grade A responses from Kyrgios and a pretty emphatic victory.
Kyrgios received plenty of support online for his latest rebuke of Coric, including from fellow Aussie, basketballer Andrew Bogut.
@NickKyrgios is the best! https://t.co/tTFwSMU03N
— Andrew Bogut (@andrewbogut) July 30, 2020
It follows the latest news in the tennis world surrounding the US Open with a number of players already withdrawing from the tournament.
Aussie world number one Ash Barty confirmed that she would not be competing at Flushing Meadows because she 'doesn't feel comfortable' putting her team in that position.
