Former world No. 1 Andy Roddick escalates his feud with Nick Kyrgios

Former world No. 1 Andy Roddick has had a gutful of Nick Kyrgios, launching a fierce tirade against the outspoken Australian.

Andy Roddick is well and truly fed up with Nick Kyrgios’ “ridiculous” public commentary.

The American, a former world No. 1 and the 2003 US Open champion, has butted heads with Kyrgios a number of times over the years.

But the outspoken Australian’s swipe at young compatriot Cruz Hewitt has tipped Roddick over the edge.

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Kyrgios took aim at Hewitt on Sunday after Lleyton’s son posted a photo with Jannik Sinner following a training session with the Italian ahead of the Australian Open.

Kyrgios’ issues came following his persistent criticism of Sinner since the current world No. 1 failed two doping tests last year.

Kyrgios took issue after Cruz Hewitt (right) practised with Jannik Sinner. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

The 2022 Wimbledon finalist wrote a slew of negative comments on a photo uploaded by Cruz to his Instagram account, smiling next to Sinner.

Kyrgios, 29, commented on Cruz’s post: “Love ya Cruz but this is wild”, adding “Cooked post” with a needle emoji.

He also wrote “Thought we were boys” with several broken heart emojis.

That incident set Roddick off, with the 42-year-old obliterating Kyrgios as a hypocrite on his Served podcast.

“I have decided to lay off because there is this weird thing where he wants the likes,” Roddick began.

“At this point he is a tennis influencer. He lives for likes, he lives in the comments section.

“But what I have an issue with is the hypocrisy with which he picks and chooses when to levy judgement on others while also wanting you to digest the context of his comments – the latest being towards Cruz Hewitt who practised with Jannik Sinner.

Andy Roddick speaking on his podcast. Photo: Instagram

“Kyrgios has been the single most outspoken critic of Jannik Sinner on the heels of his failed doping test.

“So Cruz Hewitt is 16 years old, son of Lleyton, the toughest competitor that I have ever played in my life.

“(Cruz) gets to hit with a guy who is number one in the world at the Australian Open. That is a big deal.

“Imagine as an almost 30-year-old man, going into the comments of a 16-year-old who is (hitting with) the best player in the world.

“If you think (Sinner) is guilty or not guilty, it’s still a moment when you get to do that.

“That’s a big moment and to simply post a picture and then have this guy go into the comments and make it all about himself, (commenting) ‘I thought we were bros’.

“The defence was all made that it was a joke. The lack of awareness you have with bringing trolls and all of the worst of tennis fandom into a 16-year-old’s comments is ridiculous. It’s ridiculous.”

Roddick labelled Kyrgios a “tennis influencer”. pic: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

Kyrgios was widely criticised in tennis circles for his posts, with many saying they went too far.

Tennis reporter Bastien Fachan posted on X: “16-year-old Cruz Hewitt posts picture of him training with Jannik Sinner on Rod Laver Arena …

“29-year-old Nick Kyrgios immediately spams it with disparaging comments and needle emojis. This is way over the line, and it’s time the tennis world calls out his harassment campaign.”

In response to Kyrgios’ comments, leading tennis commentator Jose Morgado posted: “Jesus Christ.”

Kyrgios appeared to explain the comments as humour after one fan wrote: “A 30 yo harassing a 16 yo on social media, really? Embarrassing.”

Roddick is a grand slam champion and former world No. 1. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

The Australian replied: “It’s a joke mateeeee hahaha.”

Roddick then took his issues with Kyrgios further, bringing up his 2023 guilty plea for assaulting his ex-girlfriend Chiara Passari back in 2021.

“When you have moments in your life that aren’t the best, when you’ve pled guilty to physically assaulting your girlfriend, but you want people to understand the context,” Roddick said.

‘You wanted people to understand your moment in time and life that didn’t make this acceptable.

“But at least maybe say ‘this isn’t who I am, this isn’t what I do – I’m not an abuser even though I pled guilty to abuse’.”

Cruz Hewitt has since had another hit with Carlos Alcaraz. (Photo by William WEST / AFP)

The developments come as Kyrgios announced his withdrawal from Thursday’s “A Night with Novak” event at Rod Laver Arena, leading to suggestions his Australian Open comeback was in doubt.

Kyrgios said on social media scans had revealed he had suffered a grade one abdominal strain.

The setback came only one singles match into his return from knee and wrist injuries that brought his career to a standstill almost two years ago.

Australian Open boss Craig Tiley said he was confident the drawcard would take his place in the tournament when it starts on Sunday.

“I think it’s just precautionary, that’s the word we’ve got from him, and I’ll have a chat to him when he gets in (Wednesday afternoon),” Tiley said.

“No concerns at this point heading into the Australian Open.”

Originally published as Former world No. 1 Andy Roddick escalates his feud with Nick Kyrgios