Nick Kyrgios, the tennis world’s resident firebrand, isn’t one to shy away from a good debate, especially when it comes to his beloved sport. This time, his target? A pickleball player’s controversial claim about skill levels.

Christian Alshon, a former collegiate tennis champion, made a surprising career shift. Fresh off his 2022 Division III NCAA championship win with the University of Chicago, Alshon switched gears and dove headfirst into the world of pickleball. Now ranked 5th in men’s singles by the PPA Tour, Alshon recently opened up about his decision.

Alshon’s reasoning for the switch? He believes pickleball makes him a “better athlete” and demands “quicker reflexes” than tennis due to the shorter distance the ball travels. He even went a step further, claiming on social media that “point for point, pickleball requires more skill than tennis.”

Alshon’s bold statement unsurprisingly riled up tennis fans and players alike. Tennis veterans like Andy Roddick joined the fray, but it was Nick Kyrgios who delivered the most entertaining response.

Kyrgios, known for his flamboyant personality and powerful serves, didn’t hold back. He laughed off the “wild” claim, suggesting that even the most skilled pickleball player wouldn’t hold a candle to the legendary Roger Federer. “Let’s hide under the bed after this statement,” Kyrgios quipped on social media. He then playfully challenged Alshon to compare the best pickleball player’s talent to Federer’s.

Despite being a co-owner of the Miami Pickleball Club alongside tennis star Naomi Osaka and NFL player Patrick Mahomes, Kyrgios made it clear that Alshon’s statement overstepped the line. He jokingly suggested Alshon might have had “too many tequilas” before making the claim.

Alshon’s comments and Kyrgios’ fiery response have ignited a social media firestorm. Fans and players are now debating the relative difficulty of these two paddle sports. While Kyrgios’ response might be laced with humor, it highlights a serious question: Does the shorter distance and smaller court in pickleball truly demand more skill than the demanding rallies and athleticism required for tennis? Only time and perhaps some head-to-head exhibition matches will settle the score.