Australian tennis legend Rod Laver says the time has come to stop criticising Nick Kyrgios and has called on tennis fans to instead concentrate on young local talent "who really are keen to play."
Laver also says that Kyrgios is destined not to become the number one player in the world unless he "changes his inner self."
The Aussie bad boy has been publicly slammed for his attitude and most recent implosion in the second round at Melbourne Park.
Laver, like many Australians, has become baffled by Kyrgios' behaviour on the court.
Nick Kyrgios.Credit:Getty Images
"I don't know whether he's wanting that sort of publicity, I just don't understand," Laver told Fairfax Media.
"If he doesn't want it, of course you don't do it. So it's obvious he's wanting to do it, for publicity, for sponsors, whatever it might be.
"You look at the younger players, 17-20 (years old). They're the ones I think we should be looking at, more than just saying (Bernard) Tomic or Kyrgios."
Tomic and Kyrgios have been the subject of controversy for several years now, for their actions both on and off the court.
The former first raised eyebrows as a 17-year-old when he complained about his match finishing too late at Melbourne Park, and has in more recent times been criticised for his lavish lifestyle on the Gold Coast, including penthouse parties and luxury sportscars.
The latter, meanwhile, has reached a whole new level after being suspended by the ATP for tanking at the Shanghai Masters; the final straw for authorities after a long list of indiscretions.
Laver says he simply doesn't understand the two sides of Kyrgios.
"From such a beautiful thing he did by winning the Tokyo tournament and I thought: 'well, who is this great guy?'
"Then I watch him in Shanghai and he didn't try an inch and I'm thinking: 'who is this ... this attitude?'
"I think it's a shame, but let's work at other players who really are keen to play."
Laver spoke about the exhilaration he had from watching the likes of teenager Alex De Minaur.
The 17-year-old came from two-sets-to-one down to beat Gerald Melzer in his first appearance at the Australian Open.
Laver believes it's the likes of De Minaur that the Australian public should be getting excited about.
"I'm not really trying to criticise at all, but it is a shame when you see that ability in one person and not be able to give it on the court," Laver continued about Kyrgios.
"We all saw him at Wimbledon when he played (Rafael) Nadal, and he was just playing tennis.
"He was hitting great shots, there were no complaints, there was nothing ugly about it.
"Now for some reason, maybe it's the notoriety that he has, it's put him to a peak."
The way in which Kyrgios threw away his match against Andreas Seppi – after leading two sets to love – drew strong criticism within the tennis fraternity.
The strongest of which came from fellow former world number one John McEnroe, who labeled Kyrgios' actions as a "black eye for the game."
But Laver believes that kind of condemnation might be the wrong approach.
"Because you know, the press want to get on him … asking 'why, why are you doing this?' and you don't get an answer, because maybe he doesn't know the answer," Laver said.
"It's not a thing that you should forget him, because he's got all the talent in the world
"But you can only criticise somebody for so long, because if you're not getting through by criticising, then … leave it alone."
Asked if he believes Kyrgios has what it takes to become the number one player in the world, Laver replied: "Well, I'd say no at the moment. But if he changes his inner self I think he's got every chance to be a world beater.
"But because he's promoted the game, the youngsters are coming through behind him. The 14-, 15-, 16-year-olds. That's been the good that tennis has done.
"That is what you need. Some of these young guys that say, 'I'm going to make it to the top somewhere, somehow.'"
Sam McClure won the Clinton Grybas rising star award at the AFL media association awards in 2015.