By Mike Dickson for the Daily Mail
Published: 23:00 BST, 17 June 2019 | Updated: 23:00 BST, 17 June 2019
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The younger generation lined up on Monday to defend themselves against the accusation that they are too reverential when it comes to the three dominant players in men’s tennis.
Nick Kyrgios stood by his description of Novak Djokovic as ‘cringeworthy’ and Russia’s world No 13 Daniil Medvedev revealed that he hated Roger Federer when he was younger.
It comes in the week of Stefanos Tsitsipas admitting that the Big Three’s monopoly on Grand Slams has become ‘boring’ and criticism from Boris Becker that the more youthful players lack the mindset to take them on.
Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer will be tough to beat at Wimbledon next month
Preparing for his opening match at the Fever Tree Championships, Kyrgios was not backing down from his stance that he ‘can’t stand’ world No 1 Djokovic, and that Nadal is ‘super salty’ when he loses.
The Australian speaks from more of a position of authority than the others as his record against the big guns is impressive, including a 2-0 advantage over Djokovic.
‘I don’t personally probably show them respect. They’re just good at tennis,’ said Kyrgios. ‘I’m not sure if we give them too much respect. I just don’t know if the younger guys are good