Nick Kyrgios jumps to Matteo Berretini’s defense after Italian star slammed by tennis legend for worrying too much about sponsors: ‘For some of us, money is important’
- Nick Kyrgios defends his opponent Matteo Berretini
- Berretini was criticized for prioritizing sponsorships
- Kyrgios says the Italian can do whatever he wants off the court
Australian tennis bad boy Nick Kyrgios has defended Matteo Berrettini after the Italian tennis star was criticized by a tennis legend for focusing more on advertising than playing.
Former two-time Grand Slam champion Nicola Pietrangeli defeated the young Italian after his shock first-round loss to Andy Murray at the Australian Open.
“He’s handsome, but his legs don’t move like they should on the court,” said the 89-year-old. Sports Bulletin.
“He’s a good lad, but he’s a bit like (Adriano) Panatta – fantastic from the waist up, but his legs don’t move as they should.”
“He’s too worried about publicity. Sinner is the best Italian player.”
Australian tennis bad boy Nick Kyrgios has defended Matteo Berrettini (pictured) after the tennis star was criticized by an Italian tennis legend for focusing more on his sponsors than the game.
Kyrgios, who previously had a relationship with Berrettini’s ex-girlfriend Ajla Tomljanovic, took to Twitter to defend Berrettini, arguing that he can do whatever he wants.
The Italians have not had a men’s Grand Slam champion since 1976, when Adriano Panatta won the French Open. Currently, Jannik Sinner is their highest ranked player.
Kyrgios, who previously had a relationship with Berrettini’s ex-girlfriend Ajla Tomljanovic, took to Twitter to defend Berrettini, arguing that he can do whatever he wants.
“Isn’t it your choice to prioritize?” Kyrgios said.
“I can assure you this, he’s making more bank than Sinner off the court and for some of us, money is important.”
Berrettini is very popular with advertisers and has his own clothing range with fashion giant Hugo Boss. He has also won more than $10 million in tennis prizes.
Kyrgios snubbed Australia’s Davis Cup team to play in Saudi Arabia last year and posted online that he will take home “six figures”.
“Saudi Arabia and Dubai is all that’s left,” he said at the end of the year. “You know I have to get the bag.”
Berrettini is very popular with advertisers and has his own clothing range with fashion giant Hugo Boss
Kyrgios chose the money for the country last year and posted online that he will take home “six figures” in Saudi Arabia instead of playing in the Davis Cup.
His huge Saudi winnings completed a superb 2022 season in which he reached the Wimbledon final, won the Washington Open and captured the doubles title alongside Thanasi Kokkinakis at the Australian Open.
Kyrgios is currently out of tennis after undergoing knee surgery.
A return to action date for the Aussie star has yet to be revealed.