Nick Kyrgios has slammed his critics for getting an extraordinary outpour of people willing to witness a pre-Australian Open exhibition match featuring himself and Serbian Novak Djokovic.
The tickets to the event were sold out in less than an hour of release, 58 minutes to be exact, hyping up the event both for the crowd and the Aussie himself.
The event is set to unleash itself to spectators at the Rod Laver Arena on Friday where Kyrgios would take on the former world No.1 Novak Djokovic.
Tickets for the blockbuster event featuring the star duo went on sale at midday on Tuesday and they were hot property, with the match sold out amid incredible demand.
Nick Kyrgios slams critics for underplaying his fan following
Later to selling out the match tickets, seeing Luke Dennehy’s tweet Nick Kyrgios had a dig at any critics that believe he’s unhealthy for tennis’ image.
“Wow Nick Kyrgios is bad for the sport! Wow what a disgrace, a national embarrassment! How dare he sell out another stadium, the arrogance,” a sarcastic Kyrgios wrote on Twitter.
Wow Nick Kyrgios is bad for the sport! Wow what a disgrace, a national embarrassment! How dare he sell out another stadium, the arrogance https://t.co/Sn37U2nAjv
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) January 10, 2023
The 27-year-old has not played since October and an ankle injury forced him to skip warm-up tournaments in Adelaide as well. However, he will be back to action as he takes on Novak Djokovic in a practice match that will be played at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena.
Tennis Twitter also took up the Aussie’s sense of humor and sarcasm by retweeting reactions to his initial tweet.
Alright chill Kygs. We get it. We know you get fans into stadiums. So does Novak. Just be humble and let your play do the talking. Get this slam. Lock in
— DTP (@downtheparkway) January 10, 2023
Kyrgios reacted to some of the initial replies to his tweet with a rather ‘cocky’ and ‘argumentative’ attitude for which he is well known for.
Nah I’m good
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) January 10, 2023
Let me tell you what they never will be there for…. Your horse riding 🤣
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) January 10, 2023
More fan reactions were lined up in a manner heeding and paving his statement in being fruitful and positive towards him winning the Australian Open.
You’re genuinely box office Nick. Keep it going 👌🏼💪🏼
— Peter Filopoulos (@peterfilopoulos) January 10, 2023
Good luck at the AO, Nick. Keep the 2022 form going!
— Sarah Tonin (@spirit__fingers) January 10, 2023
Regardless of the support received by Aussie, there were some who did not take kindly to his words and tweeted not only against his favor but also demeaned his overall nature and personality.
Regardless of the press I was speaking to a mate in security who did your close protection at Wimbledon and he said you were a right arrogant pr*ck.
— Danny Armstrong (@DannyWArmstrong) January 10, 2023
Show-Bizz on Friday at the Rod Laver Arena featuring Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios
Rod Laver Arena will be packed to capacity three days before the start of the Australian Open. The reason is Friday’s exhibition match between Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios, who face each other in a repeat of the Wimbledon final.
Tickets, priced at $20, sold out in 58 minutes. The capacity of the facility totals for a number of 14,820 people. The proceeds from the match will benefit the Australian Tennis Foundation.
The match will be played with umpires and servers and is part of the initiative called “Perfect Practice”. Throughout the week, various top tennis players will play each other in a practice match with an audience at the Rod Laver Arena. The matches in question will be streamed live on the official Australian Open YouTube page.