Infamous and loudmouth Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has slammed Kiwi Michael Venus for a second time for his "salty" comments after their doubles quarter-final tie at the Australian Open.
Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis appeared on the Australian breakfast show Today on Tuesday, following the pairs men's doubles title at Melbourne Park.
The pair were asked about comments Venus made, after the 'Special Ks' beat the Kiwi and his German partner Tim Pütz at the year's first Grand Slam.
Venus called their behaviour "disgraceful and pathetic" and Kyrgios an "absolute knob".
"I don't even think any sort of comments to come out of Michael Venus' mouth are really relevant to be honest," Kyrgios says.
"He was firstly dressed in something I would wear to a Halloween party and I feel like that's the energy that we wanted.
"You know ... the fact [is] that me and Thanasi have now made Michael Venus' comments relevant and I think that's great," Kyrgios continued, as he fought back laughter of his own.
When Kyrgios asked for his doubles partner to help him out, Kokkinakis said he was "p***ing himself" listening to the exchange as he did his TV cross from a different location.
"I felt like we had a target on our back from the start and especially since we beat the No. 1 seeds. It was pretty well documented their fitness trainer tried to square up with Nick in the gym and then Venus after that," Kokkinakis said.
"I think it was blown a bit out of proportion, we were just trying to hype up the crowd and have some fun. Everyone that comments about it now just looks bitter I reckon, don't they."
Kyrgios couldn't understand why Venus was so frustrated with the atmosphere the match was played in.
"What I don't understand is, that was like the best atmosphere Michael Venus will ever play in," he said.
"He'll tell his kids -- well, he has a kid -- he'll tell his kids about it. I don't know why he's trying to be salty. That is the best stage he'll ever play on."
