‘Anywhere, anytime’: Bernard Tomic’s $1m challenge to Nick Kyrgios

Nick Kyrgios took brutal aim at Bernard Tomic on social media but the 29-year-old has a solution to settle their feud once and for all.

Bernard Tomic has called on Nick Kyrgios to put his money where his mouth is after the pair’s feud heated up again.

The controversial and outspoken pair have seemingly never been too friendly but the stoush reignited on Thursday, leading Kyrgios to label Tomic “the most hated athlete in Australia”.

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But Tomic, who has been stuck on the Challenger circuit as he tries to rebuild his ranking from 418 in the world, has thrown down the gauntlet to Kyrgios, calling for the pair to play a $2 million grudge match.

Kyrgios is currently ranked 76 in the world.

Speaking to the Gold Coast Bulletin, Tomic challenged Kyrgios to put $1 million each on the table for a head-to-head clash.

“I’ll put up a million and you put up a million, let’s see who is the better player,” Tomic said.

“Let the public see who is better for once and for all. I’ve beaten you easy before and I’ll do it again. Plus we’ll play on grass so you don’t make any excuses.

“Anywhere, anytime.”

Tomic does have a head-to-head lead between the two as they have played just once in their careers at the 2019 Kooyong Classic.

The last time they played. Photo: AAP Image/Daniel Pockett

In that game, Tomic claimed a 6-3 6-4 win in a match that failed to reach any heights before both men were bundled out of that years’ Australian Open in straight sets.

Although there’ve never been on the best of terms, the pair rekindled their feud with some point barbs in recent days.

Responding on Instagram last weekend to a fan who claimed Tomic was better than Kyrgios, the Canberran responded: “Better in what way? I’ve got a higher career high (ranking). More money, more wins and give back whenever I can.

“It’s time for BT to just quiet down. He ain’t even playing anymore. I got years left.”

For the record, Kyrgios’ best ranking is 13th and has made $9.7m in prizemoney, while Tomic’s best is 17th and has made $6.3m on court according to the ATP.

Tomic posted screenshots of those quotes on his Instagram story late on Wednesday night, then uploaded videos of himself mocking Kyrgios.

“The only logical explanation is that I’m his idol,” Tomic said. “He’s always been in my shadow growing up.

“That’s why anytime someone mentions my name to him, it gets under his skin.

“He knows he can’t rewrite history. The records that I set when I was 16, 17, 18, and 19 — youngest slam quarter-finalist at Wimbledon (since Boris Becker), the biggest tournament in the world.

“He knows he can’t change that, he can’t rewrite that and he would love to shut me up if he could, he knows he can’t.

“He knows my style dominates his and he knows he will lose.”

Come on Nick! Photo: Michael Reaves/Getty Images/AFP

Can Bernie do it again? Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images

Kyrgios then took to Instagram to share some thoughts of his own.

“HAHA TOMIC let’s not forget the time I paid for your flight home from Shanghai because you had no money,” Kyrgios wrote.

“Hahahaha rewrite history, you are the most HATED athlete in Australia.

“You are right, no one can take over that.”

Kyrgios then posted a screenshot of Tomic’s recent results, adding: “Bernard, I didn’t realise it was this bad. I low key feel bad now.

“Hit me up if you need me to help you remember how to play. Geezus.”

A clear winner from Kyrgios.

Results don’t lie.

Tomic, 29, has been in the tennis wilderness for years before revealing in December he was getting serious about his comeback to the court.

In 2022 he has been playing on the second tier Challenger Tour — rather than the top-level ATP Tour — and has failed to make it past the second round of any event.

Tomic and Kyrgios have clashed before. Last year Kyrgios fumed on social media, writing: “I got compared with Bernard Tomic today and I’ve never felt more insulted.

“Does he have a foundation? @nkfoundation — does he have the accomplishments?

“Did he raise money for the bushfires? It’s disgusting man.

“Do you research, also I ain’t f***ing with anyone who does OnlyFans.

“Oh and by accomplishments (I beat the big 4).”

In December Tomic said he was better than Kyrgios in his prime, sparking another response from the 27-year-old.

“I’m probably one of the only people in tennis in Australia that’s stood up for him multiple times,” Kyrgios told the Sydney Morning Herald at the time. “I’ve done things for him, my family, my brother’s done things for him.”

Originally published as ‘Anywhere, anytime’: Bernard Tomic’s $1m challenge to Nick Kyrgios