In a highly publicised interview with Piers Morgan, Nick Kyrgios claimed having a massive entourage helped Roger Federer be refined and gentlemanly. A popular Novak Djokovic fan page took this as an opportunity to slam the Swiss icon for allegedly being pampered and protected. This has certainly created a huge storm on X.
Media personality Morgan accused Kyrgios of not being classy like Federer. The Brit mentioned the time when the Australian ate sushi during a press conference, saying Federer would never do that. Kyrgios defended himself and called the comparison unfair. He said the 20-time Majors winner had a big staff that did everything for him. Meanwhile, he had only three people, namely his girlfriend, his best friend/agent, and his physio. He said he did most things on his own.
“He also has nine people in his team to make sure that he has food ready – I only had three. I had my girlfriend, my best friend/agent, and my physio.
“I don’t have the luxury of having 13 people to tie my shoelaces like Roger Federer or make sure I have a white vest to walk on court with. I have to do these things mostly on my own. To compare Nick Kyrgios to Roger Federer is ridiculous.”
Pavvy G, aka @pavyg on X (formerly Twitter), pointed out Kyrgios talking about the ‘luxury’ Federer could afford because he had a team of people following him. The Djokovic fan account, boasting over 18,000 followers, criticised the former World No.1. He said Federer was the most pampered player in the history of tennis and promoted falsely as being bigger than tennis.
I love it when Kyrgios says that he doesn’t have the luxury to have 13 people tie my shoelaces like they do for Federer.
Federer was made bigger then the sport itself undoubtedly the most protected, promoted, pampered and indulged Tennis player in the history of the sport. https://t.co/GZziDgkJI0
— Pavvy G (@pavyg) December 2, 2023
Fans react to Novak Djokovic fan putting Roger Federer down
Words like classy, elegant, and suave have always been associated with Roger Federer. Novak Djokovic, meanwhile, has only recently found widespread love. For the longest time, he was seen as less likeable and less loved than the Swiss icon. The perception, however, changed after the Serb kept breaking records and also exhibiting his kind side.
Fans, however, do not let go of chances to make this into a debate. Kyrgios’ words and the aforementioned tweet invited opinions of all kinds. Many echoed the Djokovic fan’s sentiments. They labelled Federer’s gentleman image fake and a creation of a PR team.
Everything around Federer is fake. His PR team make sure that he is perfect and people really think that…they’re doing great job..They created a money making machine/model. Nick is exactly what you see, he’s himself. You either love it or hate it, but that’s it
— Kristina (@kristinadimi21) December 2, 2023
Federer’s PR is insane man. Him and Nadal are one of the most fakest sportspersons you will see https://t.co/Fzc9VfTqtl
— Shabari Kailash (@shabarikailash) December 3, 2023
Federer’s PR is unmatched. His arrogance is unrivaled
— Ovie (@Ovieroghene) December 1, 2023
RF has a PR team that tells him what to do and it to do. He is fake. He is there to make money and that’s all.
Most other players don’t have PR teams and dont have their brands to defend.
That should do it.
— pastagus (@pastaga01) December 2, 2023
Federer myth, slowly but surely, is going down one day at the time.
— Canadian (@BajagicBoris) December 2, 2023
One fan said Federer’s image is the result of media creating a good vs. bad narrative.
This is typical of the popular media. They love to create a good versus evil scenario. Federer is good, and everyone else is evil, especially when the evil comes from a country the West doesn’t like, such as Serbia.
— Daniel Rodriguez (@aztecterp63) December 2, 2023
A few fans jumped to defend the 20-time Grand Slam winner. They said he deserved the pampering and PR for his legendary career. Another user slammed Kyrgios, calling him spoiled.
Cause probably he deserves it
— Alejandro (@treyarea86) December 2, 2023
He desereved it ! Roger ♥️
— Ester (@ih3da) December 2, 2023
Dumb fuck!! He earn that by winning!!! Or do I think that he was born royalty! How many people does nole has on his entourage, that do the same! The big 3 are not comparable to the rest. Everything of what they have they earn it.
— julio (@julio22417339) December 2, 2023
And Federer was well deserving of all of that.
— Ron (@Ron74850747) December 2, 2023
how can he insult Federer when he acts like a spoilt brat
— Jannylove (@Justjanny58) December 2, 2023