Nick Kyrgios responds to Kitty Chiller’s claims that he was ‘suspended’

NICK Kyrgios has backed the Australian Olympic Committee into a corner with his latest heated comments towards Olympic chief Kitty Chiller.

“What on earth are you talking about?”

TENNIS Australia on Friday backed controversial star Nick Kyrgios ahead of his mooted selection in Australia’s team for this year’s Rio Olympics.

The backing of TA President Steve Healy for the polarising Kyrgios comes after Bernard Tomic announced on Friday that he would not be available for selection for the Olympics, citing his busy playing schedule.

Australia’s Olympic chef de mission Kitty Chiller has warned TA that bad behaviour will not be tolerated in Rio.

But Australia’s tennis chief Healy came out in support of Kyrgios as the organisation mount a case for his selection in Australia’s tennis team for the Rio Olympics.

“Since the disciplinary action taken against Nick last year he’s made a concerted effort to improve his performance and behaviour, and full credit to him,” Healy said in a statement.

“It’s unfortunate that he’s been included unfairly in recent discussions on player behaviour that have not involved him.

“His performances this year have been markedly improved and it’s obvious he’s showing more maturity.

“Only world No.1 Novak Djokovic has beaten more top 10 players than Nick this year.

“Nick deserves the opportunity to concentrate on his tennis without any additional distractions.”

Kyrgios, 21, the world number 20, has frequently been under fire in the past for his behaviour both on and off the court.

He infamously made crude remarks last year about the girlfriend of Swiss ace Stan Wawrinka and was given a suspended 28-day ban and fined US$25,000.

Chiller has made it known that Tomic and Kyrgios were under scrutiny for their behaviour ahead of finalising Australia’s team for Rio.

“I would be appalled. I would be embarrassed as a leader of the team if any of our Olympians behaved with disrespect,” Chiller told reporters Friday after news of Tomic’s unavailability.

Kyrgios took to social media, referring to the team boss as “that Kitty Chiller” and all but daring selectors to overlook him for Rio at a recent post-match media conference.

Someone tell that Kitty chiller to watch that tweener lob, then she will understand why I'm on watch for the olympics lol #smh

— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) May 7, 2016

“We have had nothing official except for some ill advised, shall I say, comments about me and what it means to be an Olympian,” Chiller said of Kyrgios’s latest response.

“I think some of Nick’s comments in social media have shown that maybe he doesn’t understand what it means to be an Australian Olympian.

“It is not just about winning on the court - it’s about how you go about it.”

“And if he doesn’t understand that.... I’ve said all along it’s not just about winning on the court, it’s how you go about it. If he thinks going along to the Olympic Games is wholly about winning — sure, we want everyone to win — but it’s about behaviour on and off the court.

“As with any athlete. There are a couple of athletes on notice. Nick has just come off a suspended sentence from his International Tennis Federation. Any athlete that has just had a disciplinary action from their international federation is on watch.”

Kyrgios once again fired back at Chiller on Twitter in response to her comments.

@kittychiller coming out of suspension? What on earth are you talking about? I was never under a suspension 😴😴😴

— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) May 13, 2016

@royslions @crosscourt1 It was a mutual decision not to play against GB. And that worked out great 👍🏾👎🏾

— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) May 13, 2016

TA’s nominations for Australia’s tennis representatives at Rio are due to handed to the AOC for ratification next month.

Kyrgios and Chiller have seemingly backed each other into a corner where one of them is likely going to have to swallow their pride or risk a complete relationship breakdown with long-term consequences.

Kyrgios asked for guidance from his Facebook followers to gauge if he has stepped out of line during the saga.

Kyrgios asked his followers on Facebook if they want him fighting for a medal in Rio or if they would prefer he not compete at the 2016 Games.

Kyrgios wrote: “It’s hard not to read all the stuff written about me... So I want your opinion.

“Fiery passion and intense competitiveness to me are the things that represent the elite level of sport.

“If you think the Australian Olympic tennis team would be better without me then comment on this photo... BUT if you were the selector and you would want me out there battling for a medal LIKE and SHARE this picture.”

Kyrgios wrote: "It's hard not to read all the stuff written about me... So I want your opinion. "Fiery passion and intense competitiveness to me are the things that represent the elite level of sport. "If you think the Australian Olympic tennis team would be better without me then comment on this photo... BUT if you were the selector and you would want me out there battling for a medal LIKE and SHARE this picture."

At the time of publishing on Saturday morning (AEST) the post had 738 comments, 6600 likes and 771 shares.