Nick Kyrgios gave his support to Ron Holger after Dane’s accident with Stan Wawrinka at Indian Wells. The pair have a history from last year’s Paris Masters when it was believed the Swiss told the teenager to “stop acting like a child”.
Eventually Wawrinka was silenced by the 19-year-old, who came from behind to claim a dramatic victory in the last 64 last November.
But this time, it was Wawrinka who took the lead in the round of 32 at Indian Wells as he cruised to a 6-2, 6-7, 7-5 victory.
But the outcome was not the main talking point as tensions boiled over again between the two rivals.
Ron started the confrontation on the net as they shook hands after the match.
He appeared to say to Wawrinka “So you have nothing to say now?”
Kyrgios, who is no stranger to some drama, didn’t mind an outburst when he reacted to the incident on Instagram.
He wrote: “Hahahahahaha it’s all good when you win… exemplary. Holger Ron is with you bro.”
Wawrinka didn’t seem ready to entertain any drama after his victory as he replied to Ron, “What do you want me to say?”
Kyrgios’ reaction to the clip was somewhat unsurprising given that he has a history with Wawrinka.
It is understood that the players clashed in the locker room at the 2015 Rogers Cup.
Wawrinka said at the time that Kyrgios was: “disrespectful in a way I could never have imagined”, after he was caught on camera uttering a slur.
The Swiss tweeted after the match: “Very disappointing to see a fellow athlete and colleague disrespected in a way I could never have imagined.
“What has been said I will not say to my worst enemy. To stoop to this extent is not only unacceptable but also beyond imagination.
“There is no need for this kind of behavior on or off the field and I hope the governing body of this sport will not stand up for this and stand up for the integrity of this sport that we have worked so hard to build.”
Wawrinka will now meet Yannick Siner on Monday to book his place in the Indian Wells quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, Kyrgios has decided not to travel to the United States for the Sunshine Double (Indian Wells and Miami) as he continues to delay his start to the 2023 season.
