"Sanitized Nick Kyrgios' image despite him admitting to hitting ex-girlfriend";"Pathetic" - Fans appalled at praise for Aussie's Wimbledon commentary

Tennis journalist Jon Wertheim's praise for Nick Kyrgios' commentary during the 2024 Wimbledon Champions has shocked and appalled tennis fans. Many have accused Wertheim of attempting to "sanitize" the Australian's image, given his history of hostility towards the WTA and allegations of assault made by his ex-girlfriend.

As Kyrgios' injury-forced hiatus continues, he has become a staple in the commentary box at the Grand Slam events, joining John McEnroe on the BBC team during the grasscourt Major.

While his appointment was met with criticism, the Australian's commentary earned him praise from Jon Wertheim, who suggested that the 29-year-old had already won the Major for "nailing" his stint with "efficient" analysis.

"You know who has already won this tournament? Nick Kyrgios calling this for BBC - a fear in itself - and nailing it. Observant. Efficient with words. Lacking the self-referenrial flab that can plague other Broadcasts ….#Wimbledon," Wertheim posted on X.

However, tennis fans did not take kindly to the praise for Nick Kyrgios' commentary, accusing the media of "sanitizing" the Australian's image given his contentious history. In particular, fans highlighted that the 29-year-old had pleaded guilty to the assault charge filed against him by his ex-girlfriend Chiara Passari.

"The way the media have sanitised Kyrgios' image despite years of poor behaviour on court and admitting to hitting his ex-girlfriend reminds us, once again, that society doesn't care about male violence against women & girls when they like the man," one fan commented.

"Love when you guys worship men who have a long history of abusing women. Pathetic," another fan chimed in.

"He should never have been given the opportunity, due to his history of violence, both on and off the court," said another.

Fans also voiced their discomfort with Kyrgios providing commentary for the women's matches due to his history of "ridiculing and "shaming" the WTA, as evidenced by his opposition to women receiving equal prize money at Grand Slams.

"I’m very uncomfortable with him calling women’s matches due to his history of hostility towards the WTA," one fan posted.

"Is it a win if it makes women watching and hearing his commentary feel uncomfortable? That we have to listen to a man who has admitted to hitting a woman? Is it not self-referential to make every single talking point somehow about himself?" another fan wrote.

"And he's commenting women's matches despite ridiculing and shaming women's tennis many times," a fan remarked.

"How do feel about Nick belittling women's game constantly??? He is still a abuser and his behaviour on court has been embarrassing. You have tried so much for his image rehabilitation," said yet another.

Meanwhile, one fan suggested that, given how Nick Kyrgios' transgressions have been glossed over, Alexander Zverev might receive a similar "redemption arc" from the media, despite the domestic abuse allegations against him.

"I wonder what kind of redemption arc y'all are scripting for Zverev next. Y'all love to ignore the harm and amplify the "talent" in order to over shadow it," the fan commented.

Nick Kyrgios questions whether Carlos Alcaraz's triumph over Novak Djokovic in Wimbledon final marks "changing of guard" in men's tennis

Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon 2024 final (Source: Getty)

Nick Kyrgios provided commentary for the blockbuster Wimbledon final between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, as the duo faced off in a rematch of last year's title clash. While Alcaraz needed five sets to get past the Serb in 2023, this time he dominated the encounter, beating Djokovic 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(4) to clinch his second consecutive title at SW19.

After witnessing the Spaniard's resounding victory up close, Kyrgios took to social media and contemplated whether the 21-year-old's triumph marks the first instance of the "changing of guard" in men's tennis from the Big-3 era.

"Wow. Love Djokovic, but is this maybe the first time we can say the ‘changing of the guard’ ?!?!," Nick Kyrgios posted.

With his triumph, Carlos Alcaraz leveled his head-to-head record against Djokovic at 3-3 and thwarted the Serb's aspirations of winning his record-extending 25th Grand Slam title.