Reaction to the insult heard 'round the world, including Kyrgios' apology

It was the insult heard 'round the world. Nick Kyrgios, in the heat of battle against Stan Wawrinka last night at the Rogers Cup in Montreal, lashed out, saying, "Kokkinakis banged your girlfriend. Sorry to tell you that, mate."

The brash, 20-year-old Aussie was referencing his 19-year-old countryman Thanasi Kokkinakis, who had formerly partnered Donna Vekic, also 19, in mixed doubles play. Both Kokkinakis and, more recently, the 30-year-old Wawrinka have been linked romantically to Vekic.

Kyrgios ultimately won the match, as numeric scores are concerned. Sort of. Wawrinka retired with a back injury whilst down 4-0 in the third and deciding set. He then took the issue to media members who placed microphones in front of him afterward, saying, "Every match, [Kyrgios] has problems. Every match, he behaves very badly." He added, "I really hope the ATP will take major action against him this time."

Still nicked by the incident, and having confronted Kyrgios in the locker room as well, Wawrinka later opined about his foe's affront in a series of four tweets:

In a Facebook post also shared to his official Twitter account today, Kyrgios said he regrets his actions (read: words).

It goes without saying that the tennis Twitterati had its way with Kyrgios overnight and today. Here's a sampling of the alternately amusing, measured, and brutal comments. First up, though: Christos Kyrgios, Nick's brother, clouding the matter by intimating that Wawrinka might have physically assaulted his brother in the later in the aforementioned locker room. (Answer: He did no such thing.)

Magnus Norman, a former ATP star and Wawrinka's coach, wasn't about to let Kyrgios get away with his words.

And here's the rub: Kyrgios next faces John Isner for a berth in the Rogers Cup quarterfinals. Kyrgios may get heated, or he may appear muted. No one truly knows. But rest assured that, if they weren't already, all eyes have fallen on him now.

Hat tip to [Stephanie Myles at OpenCourt.ca for the video.]

Follow Jon on Twitter @jonscott9. Tips gladly accepted. Just don't tell him how to serve.

Other players also criticized Krygios, though emphasizing that he could adjust his behavior.

"He's young," said Novak Djokovic "He's just started playing professional tennis recently."

The No. 1 received criticism when he was an up-and-coming player for doing player impressions, as well as frequently appearing to have physical problems on court. He noted that players have different personalities, but should watch their behavior towards each other.

"I'm sure he's right at the top of the rising tennis stars. He's got his own character, his own personality. This is individual sport. But for me it's important being there for a decade now that at least, there is a respect, you know, between the players and towards the sport as well," Djokovic said. "I think that's something he's got to learn. Other than that, I think he's a good guy. I never had any problems with him personally. Some players have problems to control themselves on the court. But again, there's no excuse for what happened yesterday."

Rafael Nadal also added to the topic. "Age is no excuse," Nadal said. "Is just about respect. He was wrong yesterday. I hope he's able to recognize his mistake, and I hope he's able to change his attitude that sometimes in the court is necessary if you want to be in the tour. He has time to improve that attitude."

The No. 9 said he did not watch the match but saw the highlights. "I don't understand very well why he say that. Is completely unnecessary," Nadal said. "The world of tennis, I think we should represent and we should be an example for new generation of kids... Yesterday was not one of those moments."

The incident received significant publicity the following day. Krygios was booed by the crowd in his next match.

"I don't want to say anything bad about Nick because, you know, I like him," Murray said. "Most important thing is that he learns from what happened yesterday. In other sports that sort of thing happens more often than we imagine. But in tennis, yeah, there's things you shouldn't do. That was probably one of them."

Victoria Azarenka, one of the WTA players who has good rapport with Kyrgios, said she had a "long answer" in response to what had happened.

"I think there is no excuse for any type of behavior like that on the tennis court [towards] anybody," she said, but added that sports people are influenced by the environment they grow up in. "I think that when you are young and you have so much pressure and you are making a lot of money at this young age, it's difficult for your parents to be a parent to you and restrict from a lot of things.

"And I think that's what happens to a lot of athletes. So I think the problem is a little bigger than what happened yesterday. And personally, I think it was a really bad... look for our sport. But my personal opinion is that is comes a little bit down to how you are raised as well."

The ATP has fined Kyrgios $10,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct, the maximum amount, and said it is involved in further investigation.