Australian Open 2017

[DJC]

Phil Cleary started an interesting conversation on FB about Kyrgios playing a team sport.  While I think that team sports generally require members to channel their efforts for the benefit of the team, I doubt whether Kyrgios (or many other tennis players for that matter) could be an effective team member.  I heard Destenee Aiva say that she took up tennis because she didn't like team sports.

I haven't given up on Kyrgios. If he gets a tough coach and is able to cope with being coached 24/7, he could achieve his potential.

[shawny]

Interesting shawny.

Do you not believe that some people can learn from their mistakes, and that some people just take longer to learn from them?

Hypothetical scenario (im reminded of Tomic's 21st strippers at this point) if he does transform himself into a professional, and finds that desire (I think that all people have a strong desire that is beaten out of them by modern society and convenience) would you be similarly begrudging of him??

Or is there no way for him to win respect off you?

Nope he has done his dash in my eyes. He wont change - has not an ounce of remorse, respect in him and that is highly unlikely to change.

No time for his sort of person let alone one earning a small fortune in the process while the average Joe busts his arse grinding away earning an honest living to end up with a fraction of what this bloke will get......and I'm supposed to cheer for him.  :

He is a spoilt brat who much worse then his little sooky fits has no respect for anyone or anything. His racket breaking fit in the 3rd set came close to bouncing up and hitting the ball boy beside him and yet not even a wave to say sorry -nope nothing! And what about the number of times he swears and rolls his eyes if these kids don't give the flog his towel in under half a second. Murray, Federer all had there moments carrying on but not on this guys level and no one has ever been as smug as this flog in a press confident after behaving like a twit.

Nope cant stand him and never will.

[LP]

So, reading between the lines, can I assume you're not entirely impressed with Kyrios...    (Ps I totally agree).

A piece of crape who wastes Federal government funding comes to mind!

The thing is perhaps it's true and he can be great, but it's clear to me someone needs to sit him on his ar5e before that happens because he is burning his opportunity. Spoiled brat also comes to mind, rewarded for tantrums as a kid no doubt!

Cut his funding, let him go and play for another country, maybe he'll wake up to himself. Go and play for one of the old European eastern block states that will put a bullet in the back of his head if he wastes their time and money!

Tennis needs to send a message that this stuff going down on court is totally unacceptable. If they don't the Feds should cut their funding!

Kyrgios can go and get a coaching job with the Kardashians, he'd fit right in!

Finally on Kyrgios, I find it slightly hypocritical that posters here will openly lambaste the likes of Garlett, Robinson and Fev for mostly off-field incidents, while forgiving Kyrgios for stuff that happens in the heat of battle.

[Gointocarlton]

A piece of crape who wastes Federal government funding comes to mind!

The thing is perhaps it's true and he can be great, but it's clear to me someone needs to sit him on his ar5e before that happens because he is burning his opportunity. Spoiled brat also comes to mind, rewarded for tantrums as a kid no doubt!

Cut his funding, let him go and play for another country, maybe he'll wake up to himself. Go and play for one of the old European eastern block states that will put a bullet in the back of his head if he wastes their time and money!

Tennis needs to send a message that this stuff going down on court is totally unacceptable. If they don't the Feds should cut their funding!

Kyrgios can go and get a coaching job with the Kardashians, he'd fit right in!

Finally on Kyrgios, I find it slightly hypocritical that posters here will openly lambaste the likes of Garlett, Robinson and Fev for mostly off-field incidents, while forgiving Kyrgios for stuff that happens in the heat of battle.

Agree with all this, he needs a couple right between the eyes.

[Mav]

I haven't given up on Kyrgios. If he gets a tough coach and is able to cope with being coached 24/7, he could achieve his potential.

The problem is that Kyrios can fire any coach he hires on the spot.  The coach has absolutely no power over a player.  The only weapon a coach has is a threat to walk out if his or her program isn't followed.  That threat won't work on a guy who doesn't really want a coach and who just wants to do his own thing.  Hiring a dietician won't do a fat person any good if he or she has no intention of making any changes to the diet.

The commentators on Ch7 going soft on Kyrios reminded me of all the fawning of Ch7 commentators over all things Essendon during the drug-cheating scandal.  We needed someone like Caroline Wilson or Dave Culbert to call out Kyrios just as the crowd did at the end of the match.  All we got was a bit of puzzlement over what was happening.  The problem is that Kyrios is Ch7's golden goose and they don't want to risk a Trump-like retaliation by Kyrios against any criticism.  Didn't Tomic refuse to play Davis Cup under Pat Rafter after Rafter criticised him?  Apart from protecting Ch7's relationship with Kyrios, guys like Woodbridge and Rasheed also have to avoid upsetting Kyrios to ensure he stays engaged with the Davis Cup squad.  They won't call him what he is - a spoilt brat who craps all over the tennis public.

[Gointocarlton]

Novak down a set for first time in ages, wait for it.

[PaulP]

Based on talent, Kyrgios is a great player. When he actually bothers, he constructs points beautifully and has every shot you could wish for. It's a shame that he can't get into the headspace required to be a consistently good player. I don't know if his problem is nature or nurture, but he is both infuriating and exhilarating to watch.

And there's a good reason Stosur rhymes with poser.

[Gointocarlton]

Sir Andy not getting his own way against Zverev Snr and at his petulant best towards his own box. Feck me people reckon Kyrios is bad. If there is one sportsperson I could punch in the face, Sir Andy would be it.

[DJC]

I didn't watch the games but I did see some of Ash Barty's and Bernard Tomic's press conferences.  Both were gracious in defeat and fully engaged with the media.  It was quite refreshing.

[Gointocarlton]

I didn't watch the games but I did see some of Ash Barty's and Bernard Tomic's press conferences.  Both were gracious in defeat and fully engaged with the media.  It was quite refreshing.

Its interesting, this morning I had SEN on in the background and the tennis show was on. I think I heard correctly but they were saying Boris Becker  either rang Novak and told him or he made comments in the media to the effect that Novak needs to c--- up and get the crowd against him. Basically is too nice. Did I hear correctly? Did anyone else hear it?