Aussie tennis' Mr Nice Guy John Millman delivers impassioned defence of Nick Kyrgios

Australian tennis' Mr Nice Guy has leapt to the defence of Nick Kyrgios in the wake of another expletive-laden grand slam exit, saying the so-called bad boy does more good for tennis than he does.

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Australian tennis' Mr Nice Guy has leapt to the defence of Nick Kyrgios in the wake of another expletive-laden grand slam exit, saying the so-called bad boy does more good for tennis than he does.

With Australian tennis split by the feud between Bernard Tomic and Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt, a moment of levity was required.

And Millman delivered, with the Australian No.2 not only saying he would welcome both troubled stars back to the Davis Cup set-up but singling Kyrgios out for special praise due to his extensive charity work.

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Nick Kyrgios has received praise for his charity work from countryman John Millman.

Kyrgios is an explosive force on the tennis court - with body language and a snarl that can give a negative impression - and a frequently grumpy and combative figure in press conferences.

But he's immensely popular with the next generation of fans and, says Millman, has done far more good than the likable Queenslander - whose popularity owes to his gentle nature and friendly persona.

"I actually really like Nick. I think he's a top bloke" Millman said after a gruelling five-set defeat to Roberto Bautista Agut.

"Sometimes we go a bit hard on him when you don't see what he's doing off the court. He has his own charity. That's more than me, to be honest with you.

"I try to be a good Samaritan, whatever. Nick has used his stature and managed to have the NK Foundation, which I think is fantastic.

"Sometimes we forget about those things when we're just having a go at performances."

Hitting partner goals?

This lucky kid shared a court with @NickKyrgios.

If you could hit with anyone, who would it be? #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/zon3Nf1fco

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 16, 2019

The Tomic-Hewitt feud has raged throughout the first three days of the Australian Open, with Tomic giving an explosive press conference on day one in which he suggested Hewitt was no longer liked - and called for his axing as Davis Cup coach.

Hewitt returned fire, saying it was simply Bernie being Bernie after a loss while most Australian players have shirked away from the tricky issue.

But Millman took it head on, and with good humour, delivering a playful sledge while saying he would welcome Tomic and Nick Kyrgios back into the Davis Cup fold.

"Look, Bernie, he was off in the jungle for a bit there," Millman said, referencing Tomic's brief but bizarre foray into the reality TV jungle last summer.

"Like I said, I've got no problems with Bernie."

Originally published as Aussie tennis' Mr Nice Guy John Millman delivers impassioned defence of Nick Kyrgios