Scott Morrison’s praise of tennis bad boy Nick Kyrgios has raised eyebrows after he was accused of veiled swipes at Grace Tame.
The Prime Minister, who was on the Sunshine Coast to make a funding announcement, was asked about his thoughts ahead of the Australian Open finals on Saturday.
While he lauded the “great example” of Ash Barty, it was his pivot to talking about controversial Kyrgios that had one senator wondxjmtzywering if the Prime Minister had exposed his blind spot.
“I love how Nick speaks his mind, I think that is terrific. I think he is great for tennis, frankly,” Mr Morrison said.
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson Young told NCA Newswire his words, in the shadow of Friday’s comments on Grace Tame, showed a lack of respect.
“Scott Morrison has a blind spot for women. He just doesn’t get women, he doesn’t understand his attitudes are part of the problem, and frankly I don’t think he ever will,” she said.
“The qualities and characteristics the Prime Minister values and likes in men, he seems unable to recognise or respect in women.”
The frosty encounter between Ms Tame and Mr Morrison at a morning tea for the nominees of Australian of the Year made headlines after the sexual assault survivor and advocate refused to smile during a photo opportunity.
In his first interview since the images went viral, Mr Morrison made references to her “terrible life” and implied the furore overshadowed the event.
“Look, Grace is a passionate person who‘s raised important issues. She’s had a terrible life ordeal,” he told 4BC.
“That day was actually about all the finalists coming to celebrate.
“And the previous Australians of the Year were there. Jenny and I were there and that day was all about them.
“All I’m saying is we were there that day to celebrate those who’ve done an incredible job for our country.”
He did not deny he felt disrespected by her actions.
“I’ve seen all of that. Anyone comes to our home, when we invite somebody, we greet them with a smile, and they’re always welcome,’’ Mr Morrison said.
But his love of Mr Kyrgios, who was in 2019 slapped with a 16 week ban for “aggravated behaviour,” went unquestioned.
An ATP investigation at the time found “pattern of behaviour related to Kyrgios’s verbal abuse of officials and/or spectators in the past 12 months that constitutes a violation.”
Earlier this week, Mr Kyrgios said he had matured.
“I know that over the years I haven't been the best role model, but I was just learning how to deal with everything,” he told reporters.
“I think now at 26 I have matured, and I've definitely realised that a lot of young kids and people, even people that are low on confidence, they do look towards us when we go out there.”
