Nick Kyrgios targeted in cheeky advertising campaign

A FULL page ad in a Melbourne newspaper taking a cheeky dig at Nick Kyrgios and a full swipe at Nike has backfired badly.

Volleys' cringe Nick Kyrgios' ad campaign

AUSSIE footwear icon Volleys appear to have been just as caught out as the rest of Australia by Nick Kyrgios’ new leaf displayed at Melbourne Park this week.

It’s left the tennis shoe company with egg all over their face.

22-year-old Kyrgios has been widely praised for his behaviour and calm temperament this week, highlighted by his third round win over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Friday night — Volleys must have missed the memo.

The company on Saturday morning launched a new marketing campaign linking their brand of shoe with Australia’s past success at our home grand slam.

The campaign which featured an open letter addressed to Kyrgios in a full page ad in a Melbourne newspaper as part of a wide-ranging marketing reach, also included a video which took a cheap pot-shot at the Australian star.

The video voiced by comedian Lawrence Mooney impersonating Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull called on Kyrgios to get his act together with some slightly cheesy lines and out-dated criticisms.

The open letter has been criticised for missing the mark “big time” in its attempt to poke fun at Kyrgios.

The letter publicly called on Kyrgios to ditch his Nike sponsorship and lace up a pair of volleys.

“Dear Nick, mate, we need to talk,” the ad said.

Yikes.

“We’re big admirers. You’ve got a big game, an attitude to match and, hey, you’re doing it for the kids. We’re even fans of your feistiness (we like a bit of sizzle on our barbecue, if you get the drift).

“But it’s time for a serve of our own - hear us out - the last time an Aussie bloke won the Australian Open, he did it in Volleys.

“In 1976, outsider Mark Edmondson stormed to victory in our classic design. And tennis legends Rod Laver, Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Ken Rosewall all laced their Volleys before lifting their Open trophies high.

“In fact, we’ve done a bit of digging and it turns out no Aussie has ever won the Men’s Singles while wearing Nikes. Disadvantage, Kyrgios.

“We may be low on bling, but the numbers don’t lie: Aussies win in Volleys. Plus, our clever herringbone grip always helps champion athletes like yourself stay truly grounded.

“It’s time to lace on a pair of the green and golds and join the leagues of Australians who have fought and triumphed in the comfort of our humble canvas embrace.

“Sure, we can’t pay you as well as some, but we’ll be the first to buy you a cold slab on your winning night.

“We’ve waited 42 years for the perfect match. All good, mate – Volley is in it for the long game. Play on.”

The stunt divided opinion with other commentators agreeing with the ad’s public address to the No. 17 seed.

This has to be one of the worst advertisements @volleyshoes could’ve come up with.

Conceding no one has achieved anything in Volleys since 1976, and in turn trying to ride on Kyrgios success.

Missed the mark. Big time. pic.twitter.com/y8aXTXxDAr

— Shane McInnes (@shanemcinnes) January 19, 2018

Loved my Dunlop Volleys and they were my first tennis sponsor but their endeavour to recruit Kyrgios through this advertisement is just lame @VolleyAustralia @NickKyrgios #VolleyKyrgiosAd pic.twitter.com/66z36pApzK

— Peggy Zaman (@peggyzaman) January 20, 2018

Open Letter to @NickKyrgios from us at Volley and the "Prime Minister"@lawrencemooney

Read more here: https://t.co/90xRFixylP pic.twitter.com/X1j4dGpTQV

— VolleyAustralia (@VolleyAustralia) January 19, 2018

“No Aussie has ever won the Men’s Singles while wearing Nikes” An open letter from Volley to @NickKyrgios. C’arn Nick chuck the canvas on! #AusOpen2018 pic.twitter.com/hce5hyK5SR

— Elysse Morgan (@ElysseMorgan) January 19, 2018

GREAT PR move by Volley 🙌🏼 pic.twitter.com/JAwJiKtETv

— Renata Kopinski (@Renatakopinski) January 20, 2018

WARNING: VIDEO CONTAINS OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE