Kiwi doubles star Michael Venus slams Nick Kyrgios, says his immaturity will prevent him fulfilling his potential

Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis have taken the Australian Open by storm with their remarkable run to the men's doubles semifinals, but Kyrgios's brash showmanship has not pleased everyone. 

In an explosive interview with 1News, Venus unloaded his frustrations with Kyrgios.

«There'll always be his supporters, and they'll always spin it in a way that helps him,» Venus told the New Zealand website.

«But at the end of the day, he's just an absolute knob.

»I think it just speaks for him.

«His maturity level, it's probably being generous to about a 10-year-old, to say that it's at about that level.»

Venus described Kyrgios as an «amazing» talent but believed the outspoken Canberran would never reach great heights in singles.

«On the maturity side, you see why he's never fulfilled his potential and probably never will,» Venus said.

It started out as a wild sideshow but Kyrgios and Kokkinakis is now officially a main event with Australian Open officials promoting the Special Ks to centre-court status.

After wowing crowds on John Cain and Kia Arena for their opening three matches, Kyrgios and Kokkinakis will be thrust onto Rod Laver Arena for Thursday's doubles semi-final against third seeds Marcel Granollers and Hiracio Zeballos.

Whatever court they're pitched on, Kyrgos and Kokkinakis say they are «feeling like we're favourites» and determined to harness the Open's chaotic home-crowd energy all the way to the title glory.

The dynamic duo have become Melbourne Park's must-watch act during their unlikely giant-killing run.

The 2013 Wimbledon junior doubles champions have turned the new Kia Arena into a mini colosseum, powering past every experienced doubles combination they have faced.

In an almost unprecedented move, TV broadcasters have