‘Don’t be jealous we earning bread’: Nick Kyrgios slaps down Todd Woodbridge

Nick Kyrgios has taken the baton from his doubles partner Thanasi Kokkinakis as the pair gang up on an Aussie legend.

Nick Kyrgios has backed his doubles partner Thanasi Kokkinakis after he bit back at comments from Channel 9 commentator and Aussie tennis great Todd Woodbridge.

Kokkinakis took umbrage when Woodbridge suggested the 28-year-old Aussie, who entered the Australian Open under an injury cloud, had brought the misfortune on himself.

Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best from overseas LIVE on Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.

Kokkinakis battled a hip injury in Brisbane and had to pull out of his home Adelaide International last week in a bid to get himself right for the year’s first major.

Kokkinakis also appeared to battle an adductor straight in his right leg in his first round match at Melbourne Park and had to leave the court for treatment in his 3-6 6-3 6-3 7-6 (7-5) win over Roman Safiullin.

Speaking on Channel 9’s The Morning Servebefore Kokkinakis took to the court to face Safiullin, Woodbridge suggested the injury interrupted lead up to the Australian Open had been self-inflicted after he chose to play an exhibition event in Russia during the 2024/25 off-season rather than resting before the busy calendar kicked off again.

“Scheduling is a really interesting thing with him,” Woodbridge said.

“He has to think hard about what he’s going to do to get the best tennis career out of himself. At the back end of the year he’s played Challengers and then he went and played exhibition matches that he didn’t need to do.

“Yes the money’s great and we all love putting that in our pocket and that’s exactly what he did, but that schedule hurts to start the year.”

Woodbridge suggested that Alex de Minaur had learned to manage his schedule, which has seen him go deep in several grand slams.

Kokkinakis has yet to see the third round at the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open, while he’s been knocked out in the third four three times at the French Open.

The Special Ks are united. Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

The Special Ks have teamed up against Todd Woodbridge. Picture: Nine

But Kokkinakis wasn’t taking the slight lying down, hitting back, saying: “That’s why he is trying to host every game show under the sun.

“We’re trying to make a living as much as he is.”

A 22-time grand slam doubles champion, Woodbridge, who has been with Nine since 2018 after defecting from rival network Channel 7, has previously featured as an expert and host on the network’s tennis coverage, as well as other sports including the 2019 Ashes series.

But recently he also began hosting Tipping Point Australia.

And it’s seen Kyrgios enter the chat on the side of his doubles partner, taking a swipe at Woodbridge.

“Facts!!! We out here earning 6-7 figures at these ‘exos’ — we have every right to go and get that money!!!!” Kyrgios wrote.

“The game is much more physical now then when some of these older heads played.

“Don’t be jealous we earning bread!!!!! We EARNED IT!”

He also wrote: “Hahahahahah with you Kokki — they would have done the same thing … thing is they were not getting six figures to show up for a couple days.”

CODE Sports has reported Kokkinakis and Woodbridge have spoken since the comments and that there is no issue with the pair.

But for world No. 71 Kokkinakis, who has battled his fair share of serious injuries and missed seasons on the tour, he explained that he would prefer to make the best use of his good health while he can.

“Unfortunately ATP, sometimes, if you’re in a semi-final of a 250 event you don’t get as much as what you would playing an exhibition,” he said.

“I’ve been pretty vocal that the season’s too long but sometimes you’ve got to weigh up your options as far as trying to do what’s best for your career and best for the ranking.

“It’s a tricky one. It’s obviously a lot less stress on your body and mentally. I missed a lot of years and money not playing.”

Kokkinakis added it was a “tricky” thing to balance.

“If I have opportunities that come up, Laver Cup is an incredible opportunity I couldn’t turn down,” the 28-year-old said.

“Obviously, I played a lot of the Davis Cup as well, which no one mentioned. I’m competing for Australia as well.

“And also it’s just tough when people comment when they have no idea about the injury or what sort of tennis I’m playing. I haven’t lost this year. Yes, I picked up something but it has nothing to do with my off-season.”

Kyrgios will give his full attention to doubles. Picture: Michael Klein

Kokkinakis is still alive in singles. Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

While Woodbridge has been put in his place by the pair, it appears to be positive news for the doubles duo as they begin their charge on Thursday.

The Special Ks won the title in 2022 and will look for a repeat in 2025.

Kyrgios will give his full attention to the tilt after being knocked out of the singles draw in straight sets on Monday night, while Kokkinakis will play 15th seed Brit Jack Draper at John Cain Arena on Wednesday night.

Currently scheduled for 6.40pm AEDT at John Cain Arena, the Special Ks are drawn to play an all-Aussie affair against Aleksandar Vukic and James Duckworth.

At least they’re on the same page.

Originally published as ‘Don’t be jealous we earning bread’: Nick Kyrgios slaps down Todd Woodbridge