
via Reuters
Image Credits: Reuters

via Reuters
Image Credits: Reuters
Tension has been mounting in the world of tennis, with Australian star Nick Kyrgios clashing with Serena Williams’ former coach Rennae Stubbs over Kyrgios’ criticism of the quality of women’s tennis after the French Open final. Recently, Stubbs didn’t miss the chance to take a dig at Kyrgios’ lack of form at the Stuttgart Open, to the surprise of many fans. In her recent tweet, she also highlighted the hard work of Venus Williams to further stress her point.
In his first tournament of the 2023 season, the Aussie stepped onto the court with a mixture of anticipation and determination. After undergoing knee surgery earlier in the year, Kyrgios had been eagerly awaiting his return to competitive tennis. The stage was set for him at the Stuttgart Open, where he hoped to reignite his career and showcase his formidable skills once again.
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A Twitter clash between Nick Kyrgios and Stubbs ignites debates on women’s tennis
Rennae Stubbs has transitioned from being a highly talented player into a beloved commentator. She is an outspoken supporter of the sport for women tennis players. In the wake of Iga Swiatek and Karolina Muchova’s acclaimed French Open showdown, Stubbs publicly stood up for the competition and entertainment that WTA matches bring.
Nick Kyrgios, known for his blunt behavior, was dismissive of her assertion. The Aussie quickly added fuel to the fire by joking about her statement. The explosive comment swiftly started a dispute which even drew in another prominent female player of the Williams lineage. The American legend Venus Williams was unwittingly pulled into the heat of the debate. Stubbs has been an integral part of Williams’ coaching journey. Venus Williams, a seven-time major champion, recently made an epic comeback at the Libema Open after enduring a hamstring injury.

via Imago
Image credits – Imago
In an electrifying game against the 17-year-old, Williams put up a great fight but sadly lost 3-6 7-6(3) 6-2. Naef showed off her poise and skill, while Williams showed her signature determination. Even in defeat, Williams’ comeback indicated her steadfast love for tennis and provided a glimpse of the emerging stars in the sport. Fans are eagerly waiting for more incredible moments as Williams continues her outstanding career.
Stubbs tweeted, “Watching Venus, a 40-plus-year old (5 x Wimbledon champ) busting her a** to win a match and losing in 3 sets and then seeing Nick K tank a game to lose a set, is the part where respect is earned.”
Watching Venus, a 40 plus year old (5 x Wimbledon champ) busting her ass to win a match and losing in 3 sets and then seeing Nick K basically tank a game to lose a set, is the part where respect is earned.
— Rennae Stubbs 🟦👍🏼 (@rennaestubbs) June 13, 2023
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Kyrgios captivated anticipation with his return to the ATP Tour at the Stuttgart Open, yet he fell short in his match against the resilient Yibing Wu. Despite the Australian’s tendency to hit explosive shots, the Chinese player capitalized on Kyrgios’ unforced errors.
His opponent ultimately broke his serve to obtain the 7-5, 6-3 victory. Though the outcome wasn’t in Kyrgios’ favor, fans witnessed glimmers of his extraordinary ability and are hungering to watch him play soon.
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The question remains: How will Kyrgios react to Stubbs’ tweet? The outcome of this clash will shed light on the importance of acknowledging the game’s greats.
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