Australian Open 2020: Nick Kyrgios throws support behind Amanda Anisimova in wake of ‘cruel’ question

Nick Kyrgios the public defender, you’d better believe it! As part of the oft-volatile Aussie’s charm offensive in Melbourne, Kyrgios has adopted a protective approach in his use of social media.

Amanda Anisimova of the U.S. reacts during her first round match against Zarina Diyas of Kazakhstan at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Andy Brownbill)

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Generally Nick Kyrgios and social media are a dangerous pairing.

The Aussie star has been known to find himself in hot water from time to time with his Twitter vents, but the 2020 version of Kyrgios is more public defender.

Still sweating after his impressive win, Kyrgios jumped into the Twittersphere to throw his arms around his mixed doubles partner Amanda Anisimova.

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It was a tough day at the office for Amanda Anisimova.

It turns out she’d been brought to tears in a press conference following her first-round loss after being strangely quizzed about her father’s recent passing.

The 18-year-old’s dad and long-time coach, Konstantin Anisimov suffered a heart attack just before the 2019 US Open.

Asked if she was feeling “unsettled” Anisimova replied: “Do we really have to talk about this so fast after a match?” before breaking down in tears.

“Things are still pretty tough but I was excited to play in the Australian Open as it’s my favourite grand slam.

“I have good memories from it.”

The exchange was posted online by an American journalist who outed a local scribe which had Kyrgios seeing red.

This makes me so mad. Have a heart and please feel, it’s not fair. Keep your head up Amanda ❤️🙏🏽 #alwayswatching https://t.co/gaoA8SlOFY

— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) January 21, 2020

Kyrgios has made plenty of new friends on social media including NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo who is a “big fan”.

The Milwaukee Bucks superstar commented recently on the Aussie’s post of him training in a No.34 Bucks’ singlet even though he’s a big Boston Celtics fan.

Ajla Tomljanovic is in a relationship with world no.8 Matteo Berrettini.

Lost in translation

Ajla Tomljanović is no stranger to fielding questions about her love life after dating compatriot Nick Kyrgios previously.

Even the Croatian-born tennis was caught off-guard by a journalist asking about her “second slam” as a “fiancee to a player”.

“Fiancée? What kind of word is that? I think ‘fidanzata’ in Italian, it means girlfriend.But in English it means fiancée and I’m not a fiancée,” Tomljanovic replied.

Tomljanovic is in a relationship with Italian and world no.8 Matteo Berrettini although there is still some lingering feelings from her ex given this striking Kyrgios wrist tattoo.

Gael Monfils is playing through the pain

Play it again, Gael

Injuries happen in sports, especially tennis.

From busted hips and sore ankles, to blistered hands, but popular Frenchman Gael Monfils’ latest setback is one out of the top drawer.

The world No.10 is hampered by a hand injury – which he hurt while playing Playstation.

Monfils was playing video games when he thumped his hand against the headboard of his bed and instantly knew he was in trouble.

While doctors suggested rest was the only option, Monfils is pushing through the pain.

He faces Ivo Karlovic in the second round on Thursday.

Naomi Osaka has revealed an interesting pastime.

STALKER OSAKA

Naomi Osaka has outed herself as a Twitter stalker.

The defending champion made the startling revelation during an on-court interview after her second-round victory over China’s Saisai Zheng.

Osaka grabbed the microphone and addressed the crowd with an oddly cryptic message for a man she knew was watching on from the stands.

“And also… I know there’s a person in the ninth row named Marcus,” Osaka said.

“I stalk your Twitter and I see your tweets. So shout out, thanks for coming! Peace.”

In her post-match press conference, Osaka went into a little more depth saying she likes to click through her replies and go through the timelines of some of her followers.

“I stalk Twitter. I know I probably shouldn’t,” Osaka said.

“But I just like clicking people’s messages and then scrolling down and then clicking another person.”

Adding to the intrigue, she then told the journalist: “I stalk your Twitter too sometimes.”

Originally published as Australian Open 2020: Nick Kyrgios throws support behind Amanda Anisimova in wake of ‘cruel’ question