Nick Kyrgios gives Rennae Stubbs a backhand after questioning $4m investment
A row has erupted between Nick Kyrgios and Aussie tennis great Rennae Stubbs after questions surrounding a $4 million investment.
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A surprising row has erupted between Nick Kyrgios and Aussie tennis great Rennae Stubbs over the divisive tennis star’s latest investment.
The Wimbledon finalist was recently revealed to be one of the financial backers behind the newest Major League Pickleball franchise in the United States.
According to Forbes, Kyrgios, Naomi Osaka and superstar NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes are all part of the ownership group of the team that will be based in Florida.
Their investments come after NBA legends LeBron James and Kevin Durant also recently bought into the rapidly expanding novelty sport.
Other celebrities to have a financial stake in the MLP include, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady and NBA players Draymond Green and Kevin Love.
Tennis hall of fame inductee Kim Clijsters and American tennis great James Blake have also invested in the start-up league.
According to Forbes, the latest teams entering the competition as the league looks to add 12 more franchises in 2023 could be worth up to $USD3 million ($4.4m).
Kyrgios clearly thought enough of James’ and Durant’s financial prowess to follow their lead.
With the Pickleball expansion continuing to make headlines recently, Stubbs posted a tongue-in-cheek message on Twitter suggesting Kyrgios and Osaka should be investing their hard-earned in tennis instead of the gimmick sport.
Pickleball is commonly described as a cross-over between badminton, tennis and table tennis and generally does not require elite athleticism to participate.
“Just to let everyone know, I will NOT be investing in a Pickleball franchise & will never turn a tv on to watch Pickleball,” she wrote.
“I would rather watch paint dry. Why all these tennis players think Pickleball is worth investing in & not the game that made them all the $$$ is beyond me.”
Stubbs received a barrage of responses to her statement with Kyrgios among those to take exception.
“lol I think LEBRON JAMES & KEVIN DURANT have a bit more of an idea of what to invest in,” he responded on Twitter.
Stubbs had her own backhand to fire back, referencing Brady and Osaka’s investment in the self-combusted FTX crypto collapse.
She responded: “Also let’s go ask Brady, Naomi etc about FTX. But ok”.
Blake also responded to Stubbs by suggesting the two sports can co-exist.
She also responded to a number of unhappy fans by posting: “Not saying it doesn’t bring people joy. Go for it. Teach the celebs mate. But it’s literally unwatchable on TV.
“And i stand by that. And taking tennis courts away from kids, i have issues with. U should know the importance of that for a young kid.”
Stubbs was also a vocal critic of Kyrgios’ behaviour when he made his magical run through to the final at Wimbledon where he was fined more than $20,000 for several distasteful acts on the court, including spitting.
Stubbs said it was “ridiculous” and “embarrassing” that Kyrgios repeatedly rages at the people sitting in his players’ box, including girlfriend Costeen Hatzi.
Originally published as Nick Kyrgios gives Rennae Stubbs a backhand after questioning $4m investment
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