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Video: Holiday Hostility? Kyrgios, Wawrinka Are IPTL Teammates


The IPTL is about to become must-see reality TV.

The Singapore Slammers may need to add a referee to the roster with the news that Stan Wawrinka has joined sledge-hammer enemy Nick Kyrgios on the squad.

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Talk about adding rocket fuel to the holiday fire.

That's right, the two guys who nearly came to blows in the Montreal lockerroom after Kyrgios' crude comments about Donna Vekic, Wawrinka's girlfriend, and Thanasi Kokkinakis were picked up on court-side microphones and went viral, will be teammates.

The unlikely pairing of two bitter rivals raises the age-old question: Can the holiday spirit of peace, joy and love really exist on the tennis court?

The practice court could be a danger zone when Wawrinka and Kyrgios play the same matches.

Kyrgios was later fined for his lewd comments in Montreal. Wawrinka was livid after learning of Kyrgios' comments and voiced his outrage on Twitter.

Kyrgios defeated Tomas Berdych in the Slammers' opening loss to the UAE Royals. Wawrinka was not on the roster for that match, but the two will share the team bench — and presumably some words as well — at some point this season.


Kyrgios, the only returning player from the Slammers' 2014 inaugural season, said he hopes to help his new teammates.

"I love the IPTL, it’s a great format, its shows what tennis can be. I personally love playing in a team environment, I used to play basketball as a kid, so I love have team-mates around," Kyrgios told the Slammers website today. "I’ve been thinking of the IPTL all year round, and it’s the only time when I have so much fun on the tennis courts.

"We are a completely new team this time, with me being the only Slammer from last year, so in a way I can help the other players in my team. It’s sad we didn’t win today, but there’s still lot more tennis to look forward to in the coming weeks.”

Photo credit: Getty 

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