Nick Kyrgios Slams Australian Government After Bondi Tragedy: The Novak Djokovic Comparison
Just when you thought the timeline couldn’t get any darker or more confusing, Kyrgios has entered the chat. And honestly? He might actually have a point this time. If you’ve been scrolling through social media lately, you know Australia is currently reeling from a horrific event. The shooting at Bondi Beach has left everyone shaken, angry, and looking for answers. But in true internet fashion, the conversation has pivoted from tragedy to political hypocrisy faster than a Djokovic serve.
Former NBA star Andrew Bogut lit the match, and our favorite tennis bad boy, Nick Kyrgios, was right there to pour gasoline on it. The topic? The Australian government’s priorities. Specifically, how they treated a tennis player with a racket versus how they handled actual threats to public safety.
The Tweet That Reignited the Fire
It started when Andrew Bogut, never one to shy away from a controversial take, quoted a post comparing the perpetrators of the recent Bondi tragedy to Novak Djokovic.
The comparison is stark, brutal, and dripping with irony. On one hand, you have the Bondi shooter (identified as part of a father-son duo), whose actions resulted in the tragic loss of 15 lives at a Hanukkah celebration. On the other hand, you have Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion who was treated like a national security threat back in 2022.
Bogut’s caption was simple but scathing: “Australian Gov – Keeping you safe.” Kyrgios didn’t hesitate. He reshared the post, effectively co-signing the sentiment that the government’s definition of “safety” is completely broken.
A Quick Refresher on the 2022 Circus
For those who have blocked out the trauma of the pandemic years (we don’t blame you), let’s rewind. In January 2022, the Australian government decided that Novak Djokovic was the biggest villain on the planet.
Despite having a medical exemption, the Serb was detained, had his visa canceled, and was eventually deported. The reason? His presence might “foster anti-vaccine sentiment.” The Immigration Minister used his personal powers to boot the World No. 1 out of the country, claiming it was in the interest of public order.
At the time, Kyrgios—who had a long-standing beef with Djokovic—shocked everyone by becoming his biggest defender. He called out his own country, saying, “How we are handling Novak’s situation is bad, really bad.” It sparked an unlikely “bromance” between the two, but more importantly, it highlighted Kyrgios’ willingness to call out what he saw as performative politics.
Public Health vs. Public Safety
Fast forward to December 2025. The tragedy at Bondi Beach has exposed a massive crack in the system, and Kyrgios is using his platform to point right at it. The frustration here is palpable. People are asking a very uncomfortable question: How did the government mobilize so many resources to deport a tennis player who posed zero violent threat, yet failed to stop individuals who committed a mass atrocity?
When Kyrgios shares a post like that, he’s tapping into a very raw human emotion—the feeling that the rules are arbitrary. We watched the government flex its muscles to kick out an athlete for not getting a jab, framing it as the ultimate act of “keeping Australians safe.” Now, faced with actual violence, that slogan feels hollow.
Why This Hits Different for Kyrgios
We’re used to Nick Kyrgios making headlines for smashing rackets or yelling at umpires. But this isn’t about tennis. This is Kyrgios as a citizen, looking at his government and asking, “Are you serious?”
It’s easy to dismiss athletes when they talk politics, but this specific intersection of sports and border policy is right in his wheelhouse. He saw firsthand how the government made an example of Djokovic. To see that same government fail to prevent a massacre is a pill that’s hard to swallow.
The internet, as always, is divided. Some argue you can’t compare immigration policy regarding vaccines to criminal acts of violence. But for many, including Bogut and Kyrgios, the comparison isn’t about the crime; it’s about the competence. It’s about where the state chooses to flex its power.
The Verdict
Whether you love him or hate him, Kyrgios knows how to keep the conversation moving. By amplifying this comparison, he’s forcing people to look at the uncomfortable reality of government priorities.
It’s tragic, it’s messy, and it’s angry. But considering the heartbreaking news coming out of Bondi, anger is probably the most appropriate response right now.
