"Really annoying to see so many female players look up to him, are they stupid for real?" - Tennis fans unhappy with Paula Badosa picking Nick Kyrgios as her mixed doubles partner

Nick Kyrgios is one of the most controversial names in the tennis world, to say the least. While some believe that his interesting character is just what the sport needs, others want him to improve his behavior towards officials, spectators and opponents.

In that context, Kyrgios' friendship with several players on tour has often left people confused. And that sentiment resurfaced when a fan recently asked Spanish star Paula Badosa to name three players alongside whom she would like to play mixed doubles.

Answering the question on social media, the World No. 3 picked Novak Djokovic, compatriot Carlos Alcaraz, and Nick Kyrgios.

While most fans were thrilled about the choice of Djokovic, some expressed their disappointment at Badosa for including Kyrgios. Many on Twitter suggested that the Aussie had failed to improve his on-court conduct, while also pointing out that he was involved in a case relating to the assault of his ex-girlfriend.

"Why do so many women like this Kyrgios? Are they stupid for real? He’s literally n@sty and far from a gentleman. It’s really embarrassing. I’m overreacting of course but it’s really annoying to see so many female players look up to him. Venus, Badosa, Osaka, Raducanu etc.," a fan tweeted.

"Oh Paula why??" another fan asked

Here are a few more reactions:

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"Nick Kyrgios has all the ability in the world" - Rod Laver

Nick Kyrgios during the 2022 Wimbledon final

Nick Kyrgios shocked the world when he made his way to his first-ever Grand Slam singles final this year at Wimbledon. Although the Australian lost in four sets to seven-time champion Novak Djokovic, he seems to have brought a measure of consistency to his game.

In a recent interview with The Telegraph, tennis legend Rod Laver showered praise on Kyrgios and stated that he had all the necessary weapons in his arsenal to win Majors.

"Nick Kyrgios has all the ability in the world, every shot that you could wish to make,” Laver said. "He’s probably one of the biggest servers in the game. He’s accurate, he can play under pressure. I was thrilled that he reached the final, but he didn’t think he could win Wimbledon. It hit home for him, I think. He realised, ‘I am good enough, I can do this.' That was the greatest thing that happened to him."

"He knows that he can play and compete now. Doesn’t walk on the court thinking, ‘If I get three games, that’s enough’. Now he’s thinking, ‘Next year? Wimbledon? You’re going to see a different player’," he added.