Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has criticized Hailey Welch, known as the "Hawk Tuah" girl, for her recent rise to fame, questioning the correlation between popularity and talent. Welch gained notoriety for a sexually suggestive remark made in an interview, which has catapulted her to social media stardom.
Tennis star Nick Kyrgios has taken a swipe at Hailey Welch, the "Hawk Tuah" girl, as she entered the Amalie Arena to witness the Jake Paul-Mike Perry fight on Saturday. Welch's recent surge in fame, stemming from a sexual reference in an interview, has garnered widespread attention.
Nick Kyrgios Takes Aim at "Hawk Tuah" Girl Hailey Welch Amid Surging Fame
In a video capturing her arrival at the fight, Kyrgios voiced his skepticism about the connection between fame and ability. "No correlation between fame and actually being decent at something anymore," he wrote on Twitter.
Kyrgios has battled injuries throughout the year, but he anticipates a potential return to singles competition at the U.S. Open if his recovery progresses smoothly.
Nick Kyrgios Takes Aim at "Hawk Tuah" Girl Hailey Welch Amid Surging Fame
Since the infamous interview, Welch has become a social media sensation. On the Barstool Sports podcast "Plan Bri Uncut," she addressed rumors surrounding her personal life, including allegations of being a fired teacher.
Welch took to her Instagram account to dispel another misconception, stating that she would not be creating an OnlyFans account. "Stop asking me about the link in bio for my OnlyFans," she said. "I don’t have an OnlyFans and there’ll never be an OnlyFans. I just make funny jokes, that’s all I do."
NBA icon Shaquille O'Neal reportedly offered Welch some sage career advice upon their encounter last month. Sources close to TMZ Sports revealed that the four-time NBA champion urged Welch to assemble a "smart team" around her to shield her from those seeking to exploit her newfound fame.
Kyrgios's criticism of Welch comes amid his own injury concerns. The Australian has struggled with ailments throughout 2024, but his sights are set on a potential singles return at the U.S. Open if his recovery progresses as expected.
The U.S. Open is scheduled to commence on August 28 in New York City. Kyrgios's participation would undoubtedly add intrigue to the tournament, given his unpredictable playing style and penchant for making headlines both on and off the court.
