'Snarky' Nick Kyrgios was wrong to bash journalist over racquet smash question after Rafael Nadal defeat – Chris Evert

Nick Kyrgios was a “little snarky” in refusing to entertain a question about nearly hitting a ball boy at Indian Wells, according to 18-time Grand Slam singles champion Chris Evert. The Australian courted controversy last week when he flung his racquet into the ground after defeat to Rafael Nadal, inadvertently sending it flying down the court and forcing a ball boy to take evasive action. Ad/> Kyrgios then berated a reporter who dared ask him about the incident, insisting they should be focusing on his valiant three-set defeat in the quarter-finals.

ATP Miami'He's a hell of a player' — Kyrgios wins 'ridiculously tricky' Miami opener41 MINUTES AGO “What would you like me to say about it? Obviously, was that my intention? No. Because I threw a racquet. Did I throw the racquet anywhere near him originally?" Kyrgios said.

«It landed a metre from my foot and skidded and nearly hit him. I’m human. Things happen like that.

Obviously it was a very misfortunate bounce. I think if I did that a million times over it wouldn’t have gone that way. And what do you want me to say? It was three metres away from the kid.

»That’s a question you’re going to say after a three-hour battle against Nadal. That’s what you come here with?” Kyrgios, who is enjoying a memorable 2022 and captured his first major alongside Thanasi Kokkinakis in the Australian Open men's doubles, later apologised on Instagram and revealed he had reached out to the ball boy. Evert told Eurosport that she hopes Kyrgios’ resurgence continued but said it was “appropriate” he was asked about his racquet smash.

“First of all, I thought Nick was playing very well,” she said. “He had a good Indian Wells, I thought he looked in better shape, better condition than he has. He