Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios has publicly criticised fellow player Andrew Castle for a “disrespectful” comment, thus reopening his conflict with the BBC commentator.
Kyrgios, 29, first attacked Castle during Wimbledon last year, calling him a “clown” for comments he made during the final between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic.
Alcaraz won 1-6, 7-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 in just under five hours but Kyrgios clearly found the experience of watching the match on the BBC annoying and urged Castle, 60, to keep his involvement to a minimum.
“Whoever is the clown standing next to (Todd) Woodbridge in that commentary booth should just keep quiet, ruining the game big time,” he tweeted.
Castle, a former professional player who is now better known for his commentary, again got on the Australian’s nerves during Monday’s match between Taylor Fritz and Alexander Zverev.
During the match, Castle commented: “It’s not the most captivating tennis, to be honest.”
Kyrgios, who also does commentary for the BBC, was not happy with the comment and took to social media to criticise Castle.
‘Not captivating’: was the comment from a commentator doing the match between Zverev and Fritz,’ posted Kyrgios.
Nick Kyrgios (pictured) has hit out at BBC colleague Andrew Castle for “disrespect”
Castle (pictured) once again got on the Aussie firebrand’s nerves with his comment.
“That alone tells me that they’ve probably never played tennis at a high level. They’re two of the best players we have. It’s disrespectful. Come on, be better!”
Castle, a former British number one, has been the BBC’s lead commentator on every men’s singles final for two decades.
As a player, he reached the second round at Wimbledon in 1986 and 1987, but never advanced past the first round of the Australian Open in three attempts in 1987, 1988 and 1991.
Her best singles result at one of the four majors came when she reached the third round of the US Open in 1987.
The 60-year-old had more success as a doubles player, reaching the final of the Australian Open mixed doubles tournament in 1987 and the doubles semi-final the following year.
Kyrgios returns to the BBC commentary team at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club this year after last playing a competitive tennis match in June 2023 due to a shocking run of injuries.
The 2022 Wimbledon finalist has battled serious wrist, knee and foot ailments over the past two years, not to mention several legal dramas along the way.
That included being charged with common assault for pushing his ex-girlfriend Chiara Passari, a crime to which he pleaded guilty in 2021.
Kyrgios was not impressed when Castle produced a completely different drama last week.
Instead, the veteran commentator decided to quiz Kyrgios on removing a female spectator from the crowd at Wimbledon during his men’s singles final loss to Novak Djokovic, saying at the time “he looks like he’s had about 700 drinks.”
“She distracts me when I’m serving in a Wimbledon final. There’s no bigger occasion, you didn’t believe me and then she did it again. It almost cost me the match,” Kyrgios ranted.
“Why is she still here? She’s drunk as a skunk and talking to me in the middle of a game. What’s acceptable? Kicking her out. I know exactly who she is. The one in the dress, she looks like she’s had like 700 drinks, bro.”
Kyrgios had previously called Castle a “clown” for his comments during the 2023 Wimbledon final between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz.
Kyrgios and Castle were discussing the clash between English tennis players Jack Draper and Cameron Norrie when the incident occurred.
Draper complained to the chair umpire about a member of the crowd, saying “that guy needs to stop talking during my serve,” prompting a warning to the crowd from the umpire.
Castle was quick to seize on the parallels, joking: “Draper’s a little irritated with someone. Maybe he’s had 500 beers, mate?”
Kyrgios quickly responded: “Oh no! We can’t mention that, I’ll get in trouble!”
“Since when are you trying to avoid it?” Castle asked.
“Yeah, you’re not wrong,” Kyrgios replied with a laugh.
Castle: “Move over? Be a good boy?”
Kyrgios: ‘I’m trying to find balance’