Dawn Fraser has been vilified for her comments. Photo / Screen grab / Channel 9
Dawn Fraser has been vilified for her comments. Photo / Screen grab / Channel 9
One of Australia's most celebrated Olympians, Dawn Fraser, has been labelled a "blatant racist" after she launched a blistering attack on Australian tennis players Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic on live television.
Fraser said that the stars should "go back where their parents came from" after she was asked on Channel 9's The Today Show about Kyrgios' behaviour at Wimbledon.
Kyrgios had acted bizarrely throughout the tournament and in his fourth round defeat to Richard Gasquet, he was booed when it appeared that he wasn't trying in the third game of the second set.
"It's absolutely disgusting. I am so shocked to think that he went out there to play and he tanked ... that's terrible," said Fraser.
She then suggested that both Kyrgios and Tomic should "go back to where their fathers or their parents came from".
Kyrgios was born in Canberra to a Greek-born father and Malaysian-born mother Tomic is German-born with a Croatian father and Bosnian mother. His family migrated to the Gold Coast when he was just three.
Nick Kyrgios during his infamous match against Richard Gasquet at Wimbledon. Photo / Getty Images
Bernard Tomic stretches for a forehand against Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon. He also came under fire from Fraser. Photo / Getty Images
"They should be setting a better example for the younger generation of this country, a great country of ours.
"If they don't like it, go back to where their fathers or their parents came from. We don't need them here in this country if they act like that."
Kyrgios responded to Fraser's attack, posting on Facebook: "Blatant racist, Australian legend."
His mother, Nill, said Fraser's comments were "out of line".
Kyrgios has also denied suggestions that he tanked his last game.
Admitting to feeling the strain of "external" pressures, Kyrgios clearly made no effort to return serve in the third game of the second set in his rollercoaster 7-5 6-1 6-7 (7-9) 7-6 (8-6) loss.
"Of course I tried," he said. "There was a lot of ups and downs. It was a tough, tough time, especially when he's not missing any balls.
"I'm getting frustrated myself. I feel as if I'm playing not how I should be playing. I'm angry at myself."
Kyrgios also claimed Gasquet "was serving too good", an explanation not accepted by British journalists who grilled the Australian so relentlessly an official mediator had to intervene.
Throwing a racket, brat. Debating the rules, disrespectful. Frustrated when competing, spoilt. Showing emotion,... http://t.co/QDvnaUNYxZ
