Kyrgios hits back after Bartoli dismisses him as ‘pathetic’
Monfils also under fire from former champion Sick Zverev fights back to win delayed match
Nick Kyrgios has accused Marion Bartoli of trying to “remain relevant” after the former Wimbledon champion labelled him “pathetic”.
Bartoli had said Kyrgios would never win a grand slam because his “work ethic is just not good enough”, adding that the Australian “cannot grow up”.
Bartoli, of France, who won the women’s title in 2013, grouped Kyrgios with her enigmatic compatriot Gael Monfils and branded both players as “childish”.
In response, Kyrgios said on social media: “Who are you to judge the way we go about things? Who are you to tell us how to do things, when you have no idea what we have been through?
“Stop assuming you know what is best for others when you think you have had a little success. We get it, we know you have to remain relevant, but I’ll give you a headsup, we don’t care what you have to say.” Monfils, who beat 11th seed Sam Querrey on Centre Court, said: “It’s easy to criticise people when you don’t know them. So I won’t even pay any attention about it.”
Bartoli was speaking to the BBC when she was asked if Kyrgios would ever win a grand slam. “I don’t think so because his work ethic is just not good enough,” she said. “Even when Roger [Federer] and Rafael [Nadal] retire, the field is just too strong, the rest of them put so much work in.
“Even if you have all the talent in the world – which he does – I don’t think he will be able to put seven matches together. That’s why Gael has never won a grand slam as well.
“It’s a true shame because those kids have so much potential. In a way it’s pathetic to see them being childish. It seems they can’t grow up, they can’t be me and can’t take charge of their own lives. I wish Gael could have done it before. And I truly hope Nick will get it together. He needs a wake-up call to see he is going to waste his life.”
Kyrgios, the 15th seed, will hope to continue his good form when he takes on Japan’s Kei Nishikori in the third round.
On Court No1, Alexander Zverev came back from two sets to one down to beat American Taylor Fritz in a second-round encounter which was suspended on Thursday due to poor light.
The German had won the first set 6-4 but then slumped 5-7, 6-7 against the son of former women’s world No 10 Kathy May Fritz.
Yet when they returned early yesterday afternoon, Zverev was at his ruthless, big-serving best, closing out the final two sets 6-1, 6-2, showcasing his fabulous forehand and determination.
Zverev admitted after his win, which booked him a round-of-32 encounter against Latvian qualifier Ernests Gulbis today, that he had suffered from a stomach virus on Thursday evening.
“Actually after the second set when I went to the bathroom, I threw up,” he revealed. “I had a stomach pain the whole match. My energy was very low.
“Today in the warm-up I was actually maybe thinking about not playing at all. But then I thought I’d go out there and try.”