SUPER-BRAT Nick Kyrgios gained plenty of attention but no new admirers for his petulant behaviour on the way to a meek fourth-round exit at Wimbledon.
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But it seems those worried the appalling antics of Australia’s best tennis prospect in years will rub off on junior players have underestimated the calibre of our youth.
The Leader headed down to the West Tamworth Tennis Club yesterday to chat with some potential stars of the future and found there was little love for the world number 29.
It was not the brash, bejewelled and bewildering Canberran who captured their imaginations, but the humble 17-time Grand Slam champion, Roger Federer.
“I just think (Kyrgios) is a bad sport and role model to all the younger kids who like to watch and play tennis,” said 11-year-old Josh Viertel, of South Tamworth.
“I just think it’s unacceptable and he shouldn’t be allowed to play tennis at all for a while – certainly not at Wimbledon.”
Kyrgios’s tournament was blighted by ugly spats with umpires and journalists, racquet abuse and even allegations of “tanking” – the cardinal sin in any sport.
Twelve-year-old Jackson Worley, of Nundle, said he had been quickly pulled into line by his parents whenever his on-court behaviour lurched remotely towards unsporting.
“I’m not a big fan of Nick,” he said. “I don’t like his attitude at all. I like Roger Federer, because I like his technique and he’s not usually a bad sport.”
