'The ratings speak for themselves' - Nick Kyrgios slammed for Ash Barty Australian Open final comments

Nick Kyrgios has been criticised for appearing to suggest that fans were more interested in him and Thanasi Kokkinakis winning the men's doubles title than Ash Barty claiming her famous women's singles crown at the Australian Open. It proved to be a famous day for Australian sport with Kyrgios and his compatriot Thanasi Kokkinakis claiming the doubles title on Rod Laver Arena to follow Ash Barty's historic triumph in the women's singles. Ad/> The 26-year-old, somewhat predictably, caused his good friend to cringe in his victory speech when he said «this boy is gonna be out tonight», but he then went on to upset many with his comments appearing to compare the ratings of their match with Barty's.

Australian Open'This big boy is gonna be out tonight!' – Kyrgios mortifies Kokkinakis in speech18 HOURS AGO «I would say that we’ve created probably the best atmosphere this tournament has ever seen,” Kyrgios said in the pair's post-championship press conference. »Ash [Barty’s] father came to us and said the crowd was the best he’s ever seen. «Obviously, Ash is a hell of a player, but I think the ratings speak for themselves.

»The ratings speak for themselves. People watch my matches — everywhere I play around the world, the stadiums are full for that reason. «So I don’t think those people that are screaming out before points, that has got nothing to do with us.

»But there is a reason why the ratings are the way they are and people are glued to the TV when we play. It speaks for itself really." As it happens, Barty’s memorable final was declared to be the most watched women’s final since the current ratings system began keeping records in 1999 with higher figures than the men's doubles final which followed. 'Get him out!' —