Nick Kyrgios news: Australian star takes pot shot at Andy Roddick, Daniela Hantuchova

Nick Kyrgios has demolished Italy’s Fabio Fognini – but saved his best shots for a pair of retired tennis stars who got dragged into a social media war with the Australian.

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – MARCH 27: Nick Kyrgios of Australia celebrates after defeating Fabio Fognini of Italy during the 2022 Miami Open presented by Itaú at Hard Rock Stadium on March 27, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

Nick Kyrgios steamrolled world No.34 Fabio Fognini, took aim at former world No.1 Andy Roddick – and opened up again on his mental health struggles.

Kyrgios continued his hot streak in Miami with a trouble-free straight sets win over the feisty Italian to advance to the fourth round – adding to his impressive form that delivered a quarter-final appearance at Indian Wells last week, where he was defeated by Rafael Nadal.

Kyrgios triumphed 6-2 6-4 on Monday morning, winning in fine fashion to set up a clash with either Italy’s Jannik Sinner or Spanish veteran Pablo Carreno Busta.

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Nick Kyrgios celebrates his straight-sets win over Fabio Fognini. Picture: AFP

But Fognini wasn’t the only star in Kyrgios’ crosshairs, with Roddick and former world No.5 Daniela Hantuchova also feeling his wrath.

Kyrgios was responding to Roddick’s humorous viral video about ‘how to smash a racquet’ without endangering officials, ball boys and the like – but diverted to take a potshot at Hantuchova, who had this week criticised young Brit Emma Raducanu.

Hantuchova said players were “losing respect” for Raducanu, the shock US Open champion, after a string of recent defeats.

It didn’t sit comfortably with Kyrgios.

“What’s with old retired players giving their opinion on our stars now?” Kyrgios asked.

“I love A-rod (Roddick) and I agree we all need to chill with the rackets and all that, but geezus, I read an article about a past female player talking about Radacanu, no offence but she is a far far bigger name already.”

Fognini copped similar treatment, with Kyrgios winning 11 of the final 12 points of the match to blast his way into the next round.

“I knew that if I came out with some energy and jumped on him early, I was going to run with it,” he said.

“They way I’ve played the last couple of matches, I can’t really ask for much more.”

Kyrgios has spoken openly about his mental health battle, and the difficulty of life on tour, and said it was important to normalise that discussion

“Males around my age struggle with coming out and are afraid to open up and talk, they think it’s a sign of weakness,” he said,

“I don’t think it’s the case at all I think it’s a strength to be vulnerable. It’s the best thing I did was admit I was struggling.”

Originally published as Nick Kyrgios news: Australian star takes pot shot at Andy Roddick, Daniela Hantuchova