Pat Cash launches attack on tennis chiefs over Nick Kyrgios v Novak Djokovic

11 January 2023 , 17:55

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Pat Cash has lashed out at Tennis Australia over Nick Kyrgios (Image: PA)

Pat Cash has launched a scathing attack on Tennis Australia for allowing Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic to play an exhibition match just three days before the Australian Open begins.

The clash at the Rod Laver Arena takes place this Friday, and despite the short notice for fans, tickets sold out in under an hour on Tuesday. It prompted the controversial Aussie to goad his critics online, tweeting: "Wow Nick Kyrgios is bad for the sport! Wow what a disgrace, a national embarrassment! How dare he sell out another stadium, the arrogance."

But whilst 14,000 fans will be treated to a rematch of last year's Wimbledon final, the event has also been met with scepticism in some quarters. The Canberra man pulled out of the United Cup at the 11th hour this month, and then later withdrew from the Adelaide 2 International, leaving him desperately short of match practice.

And with authorities seemingly arranging the 'expo' to aid the 27-year-old's preparation, former Wimbledon winner Cash has lashed out: "In what country, in what Grand Slam [would this happen]?" he asked, via the Daily Mail.

"Would you have Wimbledon suddenly pulling out Centre Court or Court No1 because Andy Murray needed a practice match? It’s hard to believe, they certainly wouldn’t do it at the French Open. There’s kids day and whatever and you go and play that. At the French Open it wouldn’t happen."

Novak Djokovic won Australian Open despite playing with major hamstring tear

Cash, a finalist at Albert Park in both 1987 and 1988, argued authorities have gone too far in their attempt to aid a home player: "They’ve bent over backwards to help Nick to get some matches and to do this, I don’t know."

Novak Djokovic beat Nick Kyrgios in the Wimbledon final (Getty Images)

Ever since his foray to the final at SW19 last summer, Kyrgios has been tipped to challenge regularly in Slam events. But Cash, 57, argued his recent injury issues have hampered his hopes: "He’s going to struggle with limited preparation," he said. 'We’re putting high expectations on him, if he gets through to the second week it’d be a bloody good effort."

However, there will be trepidation now as to whether Kyrgios will face Djokovic at all, after the Serbian star was plagued by a hamstring injury in his practice match with Daniil Medvedev on Wednesday. The 21-time Grand Slam champion required treatment before leaving the court prematurely.

Djokovic is due to return to the Australian Open for the first time since 2021, following the explosive visa saga that cost him his place last year. The latest developments will have organisers concerned, with world No 1 Carlos Alcaraz having already withdrawn through injury.

Fraser Watson