‘Stop it’: Karl Stefanovic can’t help himself in Nick Kyrgios live TV cross

Nick Kyrgios was in fine form this morning as he destroyed a bitter tennis rival once again on live TV, leaving Karl Stefanovic in stitches.

Karl Stefanovic kept throwing out a line and Nick Kyrgios had to take the bait.

Appearing on breakfast TV on Tuesday to talk about his incredible Australian Open doubles triumph with Thanasi Kokkinakis, Kyrgios was drawn into a discussion about Michael Venus — the Kiwi tennis star who called him immature and an “absolute knob” after losing in the quarter-finals.

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Kyrgios took aim at the doubles specialist after winning his semi-final and Stefanovic wanted more from the box-office drawcard.

“The other one who we tried to kick out of the country is Michael Venus, who had a couple of words to say about my man Nick,” Stefanovic said on Today, before adding the New Zealander “won’t be allowed in the country again for a long time”.

Kyrgios responded: “I don’t even think any sort of comments to come out of Michael Venus’ mouth are really relevant to be honest. He was firstly dressed in something I would wear to a Halloween party and I feel like that’s the energy that we wanted.”

Stefanovic absolutely lost it at the “Halloween party” remark, falling sideways onto the couch in the Nine studio in a fit of laughter.

“You know ... the fact (is) that me and Thanasi have now made Michael Venus’ comments relevant and I think that’s great,” Kyrgios continued, as he fought back laughter of his own.

“Thanasi, help me out here bro, what do you reckon?”

The Special Ks were on fire in Melbourne. (Photo by Paul Crock / AFP)

Kyrgios’ didn’t think much of Michael Venus’ dress sense. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Kokkinakis said he was “p***ing himself” listening to the exchange as he did his TV cross from a different location to Kyrgios.

“I felt like we had a target on our back from the start and especially since we beat the No. 1 seeds. It was pretty well documented their fitness trainer tried to square up with Nick in the gym and then Venus after that,” Kokkinakis said.

“I think it was blown a bit out of proportion, we were just trying to hype up the crowd and have some fun. Everyone that comments about it now just looks bitter I reckon, don’t they.”

Kyrgios wasn’t done and wanted to land another blow

“What I don’t understand is, that was like the best atmosphere Michael Venus will ever play in,” he said.

“He’ll tell his kids — well, he has a kid — he’ll tell his kids about it. I don’t know why he’s trying to be salty. That is the best stage he’ll ever play on.”

Stefanovic didn’t want the laughs to end and came back for more.

“But also Nick, just tell us what you really feel about Venus,” Stefanovic chuckled. “Come on, come on,” he added, trying to cajole some more sledging out of his favourite Aussie tennis star.

Today co-host Allison Langdon laughed and told Stefanovic to “stop it” while Kyrgios also lost it, and pleaded with the TV star to let the feud go.

“I don’t know. I’m not — Karl, stop,” he said.

Karl Stefanovic was loving the fun times. Photo: Channel 9.

Kokkinakis continued the sledgefest on Channel 7, saying two singles specialists winning the Australian Open hurt the egos of doubles players.

“Doubles players traditionally are just so serious, it’s known around the tennis circles that’s their thing,” Kokkinakis said on Sunrise.

“I’m probably going to get rinsed for this as well, but they take so much time on the treatment tables and they cover half the court. So it’s crazy.

“There we go, that’s not going to go well for me.”

Sunrise hosts Nat Barr and David Koch cracked up and Kyrgios chimed in, saying: “Thanasi, you just walked right into that one, champion.”

Kokkinakis also said “some” doubles players are prima donnas.

Originally published as ‘Stop it’: Karl Stefanovic can’t help himself in Nick Kyrgios live TV cross