Andy Roddick has openly criticized Nick Kyrgios for his continued verbal attacks on Jannik Sinner in the wake of the Italian’s doping case. The outspoken Australian, who has often made headlines for his controversial behavior on and off the court, has taken repeated digs at Sinner, even drawing young Cruz Hewitt into the controversy. Roddick didn’t hold back on his podcast, Served with Andy Roddick, labeling Kyrgios as a “tennis influencer” who thrives on social media reactions.
Roddick: Kyrgios Lives for the Likes
Roddick’s remarks focused on Kyrgios’ behavior, highlighting his fixation on social media clout rather than meaningful contributions to the sport.
“At this point, he’s become a tennis influencer. He lives for the likes, he lives in the comments section.”
— Andy Roddick
This comes after Kyrgios used Sinner’s doping situation as ammunition, escalating his criticism to the point where he even called out 16-year-old Cruz Hewitt for training with Sinner before the Australian Open. Roddick found this particularly distasteful, calling it an example of Kyrgios’ hypocrisy.
Kyrgios’ Hypocrisy Called Out
Roddick slammed Kyrgios for targeting Cruz Hewitt, son of tennis great Lleyton Hewitt, who chose to practice with Sinner, the current world No. 1.
“What I have an issue with is the hypocrisy with which he picks and chooses when to levy judgment on others while also wanting you to digest the context of his comments.”
— Andy Roddick
Roddick defended Cruz Hewitt’s decision to train with Sinner, emphasizing the value of a young player hitting with a top-ranked athlete at a Grand Slam. He also pointed out Kyrgios’ selective outrage, which often lacks consistency.
Kyrgios’ Tumultuous Return to Tennis
After an 18-month hiatus due to injury, Kyrgios returned to the court at the Brisbane International but failed to make a significant impact, losing in both singles and doubles. Shortly after, he announced an abdominal strain that could impact his Australian Open campaign.
Despite Kyrgios’ struggles on the court, his off-court antics continue to dominate headlines. His harsh critiques of Sinner, combined with his comments about Cruz Hewitt, have drawn sharp rebukes from Roddick and others in the tennis community.
Cruz Hewitt’s Promising Path
While Kyrgios’ comments created unnecessary drama, Cruz Hewitt remains focused on his burgeoning career. The teenager fell short in his Australian Open qualifying campaign but is optimistic about gaining more opportunities in the ITF circuit. His practice session with Sinner, despite the controversy, will likely serve as valuable experience as he grows into the professional ranks.
Final Thoughts
Kyrgios’ outspoken nature has always divided opinion, but his recent behavior, as Roddick highlighted, raises questions about his priorities. Whether he can regain his focus on the sport rather than the spotlight remains to be seen. For now, his actions continue to stir controversy, overshadowing his attempts to make a meaningful comeback on the court.