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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Liam Llewellyn

Tennis locker room's view on Nick Kyrgios as he drinks fan's beer at Australian Open

Liam Broady has given fans an insight into what tennis stars think of Nick Kyrgios following the latter's victory over the Brit on Tuesday.

The British star lost in straight sets to the entertaining, yet sometimes controversial, Aussie at the Australian Open earlier today - going down 6-4 6-3 6-3.

The 26-year-old is one of the most talented yet unpredictable players on the tour and on his day, he can be unstoppable.

Broady could do nothing at times against his first-round opponent who produced some incredible shots, including an underarm serve just five minutes into the match.

But it wasn't just his tennis that made the headlines, as Kyrgios celebrated his win by copying Cristiano Ronaldo's 'Siu' celebration before swigging beer from a fan's cup.

And after his defeat, the world No 128 admitted Kyrgios outclassed him at times and gave his assessment of what fellow players think of the charismatic Australian.

Nick Kyrgios drinks some beer from a fan's cup after beating Liam Broady (Eurosport)

"I know what Nick's like and I saw a few of the guys in the lockers before and they said: 'Are you ready for the disrespect out there?'," the Brit said.

"Because sometimes he makes you feel stupid with the shots he hits, with the underarm serves through the legs and the little lobs and the dinks and then the big hits, and sometimes you feel like a bit of a club player out there. That's what he does.”

Despite the views of those who feel Krygios can be disrespectful with the way he plays, Broady sees no malice and lauded Kyrgios for ability to entertain audiences.

"I don't think it's personal. If I felt like it was personal and it was malicious, then I would probably feel like he crossed the line," he added.

"But our job is to entertain the people and for them to enjoy the tennis that they come to watch and he does that and full respect to him.

"That's what tennis is about. I am all for it, to be honest, even when it's against me."

After celebrating his first round victory with some beer and mimicking Ronaldo, Kyrgios spoke of his delight.

"I served well today," Kyrgios said in his on-court interview.

"I don’t know what I have done to this crowd as you guys are a zoo now. I am super happy to be here again.

Nick Kyrgios beat Liam Broady in straight sets at the Australian Open (REUTERS)

"We have all had a tough couple of years, so just to be back at Aussie Open and be back here in front of you guys [is great]."

Today's win marked Kyrgios' first match since last year's Laver Cup and his next encounter will be a tough challenge in the form of US Open champion Daniil Medvedev.

He won their previous two meetings in 2019 and now he will have the home crowd on his side when he takes on the world No 2 on Thursday.

On facing Medvedev, Kyrgios said: "He is an amazing player. I knew he was going to do some amazing things in this sport. He has won a Grand Slam. I am just going to enjoy it tonight though."

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