Nick Kyrgios set for awkward reunion with Boris Becker

Nick Kyrgios and Boris Becker are set for a clumsy reunion on the Australian Open after the pair had been confirmed as pundits on the identical broadcaster for the event.

Eurosport introduced on Monday that Kyrgios, 28, and Becker, 56, are a part of a star-studded lineup of massive tennis names to share their views throughout the first grand slam of the 12 months.

Kyrgios’s place on the punditry crew was confirmed after he introduced he wouldn’t be collaborating on the event attributable to ongoing damage issues.

It implies that Kyrgios and Becker are on a possible collision course following their bitter feud on the finish of final 12 months, wherein the Australian questioned the tennis legend’s legacy and used the German’s current spell in jail as ammunition of their confrontation.

‘The sport was so sluggish again then,’ the 28-year-old mentioned of Becker’s period.

Boris Becker (L) and Nick Kyrgios (R) are on a collision course forward of the Australian Open

Kyrgios can be on punditry obligation for the event in Melbourne this 12 months

‘I’ve watched Boris Becker and I’m not saying they weren’t good of their time, however to say that they might be simply pretty much as good now, it is absurd.

‘An enormous serve again then was like 197 to 200[kmh]. People like me, we serve 220 constantly, to corners. It’s a complete totally different ball sport.’

That clearly rattled the previous world No.1, with the 56-year-old German launching a sequence of recent assaults on Kyrgios.

Becker mentioned the previous legends of the game made it attainable for the injured Aussie to make a dwelling from tennis with out taking part in all 12 months.

‘You must have respect for the previous & merely say ‘thanks’ out loud that these previous professionals existed, as a result of with out them the tennis circus would not exist,’ he mentioned.

Kyrgios was having none of that, although, saying he earned his personal fame whereas taking a pot shot at Becker’s prison previous.

‘Uhhh what? I’ve been arguably one of the crucial watched gamers outdoors the large three the final decade?’ Kyrgios posted on X.

‘Fans all over the world and have introduced so many extra individuals to the game. I’ve created my very own stuff off the court docket. Try to not cover any extra property x.’

That closing line was a dig at Becker’s current monetary turmoil that led to his imprisonment in 2017.

It stays to be seen whether or not the pair have cleared the air since that put up, though Kyrgios later mentioned he was ‘performed’ with the back-and-forth. 

Kyrgios mocked Becker’s jail time period throughout their heated back-and-forth late final 12 months

Eurosport revealed the Canberra-born star will present his ‘distinctive views’ on the event.

‘To improve the storytelling like by no means earlier than, we have assembled one of the crucial spectacular knowledgeable line-ups of tennis legends and superstars,’ Eurosport boss Scott Young mentioned. 

‘We’re notably excited to welcome Nick Kyrgios to our English language commentary crew this 12 months and know followers will profit from his distinctive views and closeness to the present crop of champions and opponents taking to the court docket this 12 months.’