Tennis legend John McEnroe explains why he believes most Australians think Nick Kyrgios is ‘a bit of a d**k’
- Grand Slam champion appeared on TV with comedian Andy Lee
- Australian Open version of Channel Nine’s show The Hundred
- McEnroe predicted what fans polled think about Kyrgios
Grand Slam great John McEnroe has left TV star Andy Lee in the lurch as he explained why he believes Australians think Nick Kyrgios is ‘a bit ad**k’ during a TV appearance on Wednesday.
The 64-year-old tennis legend featured in a special Australian Open edition of Channel Nine’s The Hundred game show, in which contestants try to guess how 100 people surveyed answered random questions.
Lee hosted the segment, which also featured comedian Mike Goldstein, and the topic quickly turned to Kyrgios.
McEnroe (pictured with Nick Kyrgios and his sister Halimah at this year’s Australian Open) angered comedian Andy Lee when he clarified why he thinks Aussies believe the tennis bad boy from down under is a ‘bit ad**k’
The Grand Slam legend took on comedian Mike Goldstein (pictured together) on the Australian Open edition of Nine’s game show The Hundred
“When it comes to Nick Kyrgios, do Australians think he’s a hero, or a bit of ad**k?” Lee asked.
McEnroe chose the latter, while Goldstein went for the hero option.
Asked to clarify his choice, the four-time US Open champion said: ‘I think that’s actually what he wants to be.
“He is also extremely talented and could be a hero too.
‘It would be nice if he was both. For example, I know something about that.’
That last comment brought laughter from Lee and Goldstein and was a clear reference to McEnroe’s famous reputation as one of tennis’ most controversial figures.
Nicknamed ‘Superbrat’ during the heyday of his playing, he has become synonymous with the phrase, ‘You can’t be serious!’ after regularly shouting at referees when he didn’t like their calls.
Host Andy Lee (pictured) lost it when McEnroe compared himself to Kyrgios – with both stars known for being exceptionally talented, but also exceptionally volatile on the pitch
McEnroe (pictured with Carlos Alcaraz) was a regular at the Australian Open in his role as a leading commentator
McEnroe took his on-court antics so far that an English newspaper labeled him “the most vain, ill-tempered, petulant shouter the game of tennis has ever known.”
Kyrgios has in many ways replaced the American as the super-talented bad boy of the pro tour, becoming infamous for outbursts against officials and even members of the crowd, such as his accusation that a spectator at Wimbledon had consumed ‘700 drinks’ when he played against Novak Djokovic played. in the 2022 men’s final.
Lee further revealed that 55 percent of Australians surveyed agreed with McEnroe, while 45 percent consider Kyrgios a hero.
That made McEnroe the winner of that edition of The Hundred, which airs before the day’s play starts at 11am AEST during the Open.