Nick Kyrgios, the Australian tennis maverick known for his fiery persona and unfiltered opinions, has found himself at the center of yet another storm as the 2025 Wimbledon Championships approach. The 30-year-old, sidelined from competitive play due to a knee injury flare-up, was expected to return to the BBC’s commentary booth after a well-received stint in 2024. However, the broadcaster’s decision to exclude him sparked controversy, with Kyrgios initially taking a swipe at American player Christopher Eubanks, whom he believed was his replacement. In a swift response on social media, Kyrgios backtracked, accusing the media of twisting his words to ignite a fabricated rivalry. “The media makes me laugh honestly 😂 low key have always enjoyed Eubanks as a commentator, always going to spin what I say and turn it into some sort of rivalry or friction 😂 I think if we were on the same panel, would be beneficial to the sport 😂 tennis is weird,” he posted on X, aiming to douse the flames.
The saga began when Kyrgios, in an interview, expressed frustration over the BBC’s choice to overlook him for Wimbledon 2025, calling it “very strange” and suggesting it was “probably their loss more than mine.” He highlighted his unique credentials, noting, “I understand they’ve got Chris Eubanks, but he hasn’t beaten the greatest of all time multiple times. When someone’s beaten Federer, Nadal, Murray and Djokovic and has incredible insights, it’s very strange you wouldn’t want that person adding knowledge to tennis fans.” His remarks, which referenced his victories over tennis legends Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, and Novak Djokovic, were perceived as a dig at Eubanks, ranked No. 131, whose best Grand Slam result was a 2023 Wimbledon quarterfinal. The comments stirred fan backlash, with one X user branding Kyrgios a “total braindead idiot” for throwing shade, while others criticized his past controversies, including a 2023 guilty plea for assaulting his ex-girlfriend Chiara Passari.
Eubanks, 29, quickly clarified the situation, debunking the narrative that he was replacing Kyrgios. “All jokes aside…. I will not be working with BBC at Wimbledon this year,” he posted on X, adding, “As far as I know, my team hasn’t even spoken to anyone from BBC so I’m not sure where that came from. That said, I’m incredibly excited to be back competing at SW19 💚💜🌱🍓.” His response, accompanied by a cheeky 50 Cent meme captioned, “I’m like, ‘What he say f*** me for?’” showcased his lighthearted approach. Eubanks, a rising commentator with stints at ESPN, Tennis Channel, and TNT Sports, is instead focused on his return to Wimbledon’s main draw, where he hopes to replicate his 2023 run that saw upsets over Cameron Norrie and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
The BBC’s decision to part ways with Kyrgios stems from internal backlash, particularly from female staff, over his past controversies, including the assault admission and alleged misogynistic remarks. In 2024, the broadcaster faced criticism for hiring him, with MP Caroline Nokes calling it a “disgrace” that showed “utter contempt” toward women. Despite his engaging commentary, which blended humor and insider knowledge, the network opted not to renew his role. Kyrgios, undeterred, remains optimistic about future opportunities, saying, “I’m sure our paths will cross again. I only ever want to add humour, some knowledge and some great atmosphere.” He’s channeling his energy into his podcast, *Good Trouble*, hosting a live show at the New Wimbledon Theatre on June 24 with guests like Novak Djokovic and Naomi Osaka.
Kyrgios’s absence from Wimbledon, both as a player and pundit, marks his third consecutive year away from the All England Club’s courts, where he reached the 2022 final against Djokovic. Reflecting on that loss, he admitted, “It was only a couple of points here and there where, if I’d acted a bit differently, I would have had a Wimbledon title.” His injury setbacks, including wrist surgery in 2023 and a recent knee issue, have limited him to five matches in 2025, with early exits at Brisbane, the Australian Open, and Miami. Yet, he plans a comeback on the North American hard courts, vowing, “I’m definitely playing the US swing and I’ll take it one day at a time.”
The Kyrgios-Eubanks episode underscores tennis’s knack for off-court drama. While Kyrgios insists there’s no bad blood—“I’ve always appreciated Eubanks as a commentator”—the media’s rush to frame a rivalry highlights his fraught relationship with the press. As Wimbledon looms, Eubanks aims to let his racquet do the talking, while Kyrgios, ever the disruptor, continues to shake up the sport, whether on court, in the booth, or online.
#024, the broadcaster faced criticism for hiring him, with MP Caroline Nokes calling it a “disgrace” that showed “utter contempt” toward women. Despite his engaging commentary, which blended humor and insider knowledge, the network opted not to renew his role. Kyrgios, undeterred, remains optimistic about future opportunities, saying, “I’m sure our paths will cross again. I only ever want to add humour, some knowledge and some great atmosphere.” He’s channeling his energy into his podcast, *Good Trouble*, hosting a live show at the New Wimbledon Theatre on June 24 with guests like Novak Djokovic and Naomi Osaka.
Kyrgios’s absence from Wimbledon, both as a player and pundit, marks his third consecutive year away from the All England Club’s courts, where he reached the 2022 final against Djokovic. Reflecting on that loss, he admitted, “It was only a couple of points here and there where, if I’d acted a bit differently, I would have had a Wimbledon title.” His injury setbacks, including wrist surgery in 2023 and a recent knee issue, have limited him to five matches in 2025, with early exits at Brisbane, the Australian Open, and Miami. Yet, he plans a comeback on the North American hard courts, vowing, “I’m definitely playing the US swing and I’ll take it one day at a time.”
The Kyrgios-Eubanks episode underscores tennis’s knack for off-court drama. While Kyrgios insists there’s no bad blood—“I’ve always appreciated Eubanks as a commentator”—the media’s rush to frame a rivalry highlights his fraught relationship with the press. As Wimbledon looms, Eubanks aims to let his racquet do the talking, while Kyrgios, ever the disruptor, continues to shake up the sport, whether on court, in the booth, or online.
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