11 January 2024 , 12:01
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Nick Kyrgios and Pat Cash have clashed after the latter claimed crowds at the Australian Open have become "out of control".
The first Grand Slam of the year will begin in Melbourne this week and the 58-year-old has aired concerns over how fans have been conducting themselves. Tennis, for so long a perceived middle class sport, has attracted new fans which have bought a fresh dynamic.
Cash has expressed concerns over some of their conduct - which hasn't gone down well with Kyrgios. He said: "I think the Australian crowds in the last 10 years have got a little out of control. Cheer on your countrymen, no problems, but they're not representing your country, they're individual and I think we need to understand that."
Kyrgios - who will not be playing at the Australian Open - replied: "[It was an] Absolutely stupid comment by another old head that has no idea how marketing or how things work in today's day and age. You need entertainment. This generation doesn't have a long attention span.
"That's why you see clips on Instagram rolling. They're 15-20 seconds long. Someone like Pat Cash wouldn't be able to grasp that concept. And I'm not taking anything away from Pat Cash. Incredible player of his generation, but we need to continue to make the sport grow for fans everywhere."
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Kyrgios is among the players whose antics have bought a new dynamic to the sport. His style as a player has divided opinion but introduced tennis to a new audience with his press conferences becoming eagerly anticipated events, largely because of his candid answers.
The Wimbledon finalist admits fans need to be entertained and recognised his own role in increasing the interest in the sport. "We need the crowds to feel part of the sport. We need entertainment. We need people having beers and the players loving it. We need human interaction. We're human, not robots. We need it to be like that," he added.
Pat Cash has aired concerns over the fans at the Australian Open"With everything I do on and off the court, entertainment value, putting eyes on this. It just makes everyone else more money in the sport. That's all it does. And if Pat Cash can't see that - stubborn, old, stuck in his ways."
Kyrgios is set to feature on Eurosport's coverage of the tournament, providing his own unique insight. The Australian will be sitting alongside the likes of John McEnroe and Tim Henman.
Novak Djokovic will be aiming to win a record-extending 11th Australian Open title when he returns to Melbourne as the defending champion. Aryna Sabalenka won her first Grand Slam down under last year and will be seeking to retain their crown when she returns.