Nick Kyrgios searched his critics after his warm-up game against Novak Djokovic in Melbourne on Friday sold out in 58 minutes.
The controversial Aussie will face the Serb in a repeat of last year’s Wimbledon final at a fundraiser at the Rod Laver Arena ahead of the Australian Open.
“Wow Nick Kyrgios is bad for the sport! Wow what a shame, a national embarrassment!” Kyrgios, 27, tweeted.
“How dare he sell another stadium, arrogance.”
Tickets for the match at the 14,820-seater ground were priced at 20 Australian dollars (£11.30).
Kyrgios has long divided opinion with his outbursts and antics on the pitch, which are often displayed alongside enormous natural talent and eye-catching shots.
Some of his behavior, such as spitting in the direction of a fan at Wimbledon, earned him fines, while other episodes were seen as humorous exchanges with the crowd.
He was recently criticized by Australian co-captain Lleyton Hewitt after withdrawing from the United Cup in early January due to injury minutes before his pre-tournament press conference.
Hewitt said he was unaware of Kyrgios’ withdrawal until his announcement, but Kyrgios claimed he was thrown “under the bus”.
From “strange cat” to “official bromance”
Kyrgios and Djokovic have had a rocky relationship in the past, with the Australian calling the 21-time Grand Slam winner a “tool” and a “strange cat” in 2021.
But Kyrgios said a “bromance” had blossomed as the pair approached the final at Wimbledon last summer, which the Serb won in four sets.
In his SW19 victory speech on the pitch, Djokovic told Kyrgios: “I never thought I would say so many nice things about you! OK, it’s official: it’s a bromance.”
Djokovic, who returns to the Australian Open next week a year after his controversial expulsion, returns on the back of winning the Adelaide International 1 title on Sunday.
Kyrgios, playing his first game since suffering an ankle injury in October, is hoping defend her doubles title at the Australian Open alongside Thanasi Kokkinakis after an impressive 2022 season that saw him reach a Grand Slam singles final for the first time.
