‘Rustling feathers’: Real reason behind Kyrgios’ wild antics

Fight threats and angry opponents aren’t going to stop Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis putting on a show in Melbourne.

Chantelle Francis

2 min read

January 25, 2022 - 9:32PM

Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios didn’t hold back putting on a show in their men's doubles quarterfinals at the Australian Open. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

The Australian Open has drawn its fair share of criticism this year over crowd behaviour and Aussie players Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis no doubt attract the most rowdy of them.

But despite some of the world’s best players hating the atmosphere, the duo are not about to stop hyping the crowd and using it to their advantage.

“Keep rustling some feathers guys I don’t mind it if I’m honest,” Kokkinakis told fans in an on-court interview after the duo defeated no. 6 seeded pair Tim Puetz, from Germany, and Michael Venus, from New Zealand, 7-5 3-6 6-3 on Tuesday night.

After a previous match, where they defeated no. 1 seeded pair Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic, from Croatia, an unhappy Pavic said the crowd needed to show some respect.

Kyrgios also revealed his opponents’ coach and trainer threatened to fight him after the match.

Brit Liam Broady said his experience playing Kyrgios in round one of the men’s singles was “absolutely awful”, explaining it was a “very difficult atmosphere” to handle.

World no. 2 Daniil Medvedev, from Russia, also told crowds to show some respect after he knocked Kyrgios out of the men’s singles last week.

But Kyrgios has said as long as he is playing, the crowd can expect a show.

Nick Kyrgios is lapping up the raucous crowds while his opponents hate it. Picture: Michael Klein

The Aussie besties say they are more focused on creating a show and having fun than their doubles success. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

“This Aus Open, honestly, I think for us it’s more about the people, playing for them is more important than our doubles success,” Kyrgios said in a press conference on Tuesday night.

“I just want to play and give the people of Australia and the Australian Open a show and genuinely try and grow the sport of tennis.”

Kyrgios said the duo knew they were role models for young people across the country and he wanted to entertain them.

“I know that over the years I haven’t been the best role model, but I was just learning how to deal with everything,” he said.

“I think now at 26 I have matured, and I’ve definitely realised that a lot of young kids and people, even people that are low on confidence, they do look towards us when we go out there.”

The match on Tuesday was so entertaining it even bumped Rafael Nadal and Denis Shapovalov off free-to-air TV on Channel 9 – something Kyrgios said was “unexpected”.

“Shapovalov and Nadal are two probably of the best players in the world right now. He’s one of the most exciting younger guys as well,” Kyrgios said. “But, I mean, I think the level of entertainment I think is different.”

Kokkinakis added: “It’s kind of easier in doubles you can feed off each other a bit … we can just talk rubbish in between points”.

Wildcards Kyrgios and Kokkinakis will now play in the men’s doubles semi-finals. Picture: Michael Klein

The duo are soaking up the atmosphere, which they say will be tough to match in other tournaments. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

As for whether the world will be seeing more of the Aussie duo when this year’s Australian Open wraps up, Kokkinakis said it was up to Kyrgios.

“He’s in high demand,” Kokkinakis laughed. “I’m just trying to get him where I can. Hopefully we can. I mean, we have a lot of fun. Depends what schedule he’s playing.

“It’s going to be tough to match this atmosphere here around the world.”