Kyrgios
Australia's Nick Kyrgios throws his racquet during his third round match against Czech Republic's Tomas Berdych at the Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park, Australia, January 22, 2016. Reuters/Jason Reed

Nick Kyrgios is not letting his Davis Cup feud with fellow Aussie Bernard Tomic get to him as the 20-year-old Aussie prepares for Indian Wells on Mar. 10.

Kyrgios and Tomic have been caught up in a row after Australia’s first round defeat against the United States at the Davis Cup World Group. Tomic accused Kyrgios of faking his illness to avoid Australia’s defeat at Kooyong, but the latter seems unfazed by the former’s comments, insisting that he was not taking the heated public exchange “personally” but focusing on his next tournament at Indian Wells.

Kyrgios was originally selected to play for Australia’s Davis Cup team, but a virus picked up during the Dubai Tennis Championships forced the Canberran to withdraw from the tournament. Kyrgios was replaced by Sam Groth, who lost to USA’s John Isner in the opening match 6-7(2) 2-6 2-6.

Kyrgios’ absence may have strongly contributed to Australia’s first round loss at the Davis Cup tie, but team captain Lleyton Hewitt fully believes the tennis bad boy was sick during the team’s preparations.

"Nick gave everything he had to try to be available and there's no doubt he was sick,” Hewitt said, reports the BBC.

Tomic, on the other hand, said he would “lose respect” for Kyrgios if he plays at Indian Wells days after withdrawing from the Davis Cup due to an illness.

Tomic was able to level Australia with USA in Day 1 of the tie after defeating Jack Sock 7-6(2) 6-3 3-6 6-4 in their singles match. However, the 23-year-old failed to force a decider against Isner (4-6 4-6 7-5 6-7(4)) following Hewitt and John Peers’ doubles 3-6 3-6 6-4 6-4 3-6 defeat against Bob and Mike Bryan.

Meanwhile, former Australia team captain Wally Masur urged Kyrgios and Tomic to settle their differences privately instead of taking their squabble publicly via Twitter.

"What's happened has happened, and for me the best thing is that they both play Indian Wells in five days time," Masur said, reports the ABC. "That they just meet up in the locker room ... shake hands and just get on with it.”

RELATED STORIES