Odd bedfellows could meet in W&S Open

MASON – Outside of court No. 3 at the Linder Family Tennis Center Saturday evening, Shaggy’s “It Wasn’t Me” was blaring from a DJ’s speakers during a qualifying match between Thanasi Kokkinakis and Ryan Harrison.

While we all enjoy an old school 90s jam, the timing of the song was likely not a coincidence. To say the least, the last week has been an interesting one for Kokkinakis. Kokkinakis, a 19-year-old Australian ranked No. 79 in the world, has definitely received more attention than he bargained for.

It all started last week when Kokkinakis’ friend and fellow countryman Nick Kyrgios told Stan Wawrinka during a match during the Rogers Cup in Montreal that Kokkinakis has been seeing Wawrinka’s girlfriend Donna Vekic, a fellow tennis player.

Now the accuser could face the accused on the court. Kokkinakis’ next match could be versus Kyrgios. Kyrgios has an 11 a.m. match Tuesday versus Richard Gasquet with the winner facing Kokkinakis.

Kokkinakis and Vekic have played mixed doubles in the past.

Wawrinka was outraged by the comments and took to social media to address Kyrgios’ statement.

So disappointing to see a fellow athlete and colleague be so disrespectful in a way I could never even imagine.

— Stanislas Wawrinka (@stanwawrinka) August 13, 2015

What was said I wouldn’t say to my worst enemy. To stop so low is not only unacceptable but also beyond belief. — Stanislas Wawrinka (@stanwawrinka) August 13, 2015

There is no need for this kind of behaviour on or off the court and I hope the governing body of this sport does not stand…

— Stanislas Wawrinka (@stanwawrinka) August 13, 2015

The ATP Tour, the governing body for the men’s tennis tour, fined Kyrgios $10,000 for his comments to Wawrinka. Also, Tennis Australia announced in a statement that Kyrgios had apologized for his actions. While Kyrgios finished his stop in Montreal, Kokkinakis and Harrison met at the Western and Southern Open Saturday. The two players took verbal jabs at each other, with the chair umpire having to get between them twice during the match.

A popcorn filled handshake after the match between #Kokkinakis and #Harrison. #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/TfOqUByJ6F

— Eric (@PaxAttack300) August 16, 2015

Kokkinakis survived the three-set challenge that ended in a tiebreaker in the final set to win. Kokkinakis stayed alive in this week’s tournament Monday night with a three-set victory over Fabio Fognini.

How interesting would it be to see Kokkinakis face Kyrgios a week after this love triangle made national headlines? We might find out.