**“WE ARE NOT HERE TO CELEBRATE THEIR STUPID PRIDE.” Kyle Sandilands – the controversial radio host of The Kyle & Jackie O Show – pushed his show to the brink of collapse when he was officially fired after making extremely offensive and vulgar remarks directed at Alex de Minaur following his defeat at the 2026 Australian Open. This outraged millions of Australian fans who had been cheering on “Demon” in his quest for a Grand Slam title on home soil.

Even more shockingly, just over 5 hours later, The Kyle & Jackie O Show faced losses exceeding $20 million after Alex de Minaur issued a powerful official response!!!**

The Australian tennis community and radio listeners were left reeling on January 27, 2026, when Kyle Sandilands unleashed a tirade on air that crossed every imaginable line. The long-time shock jock of KIIS FM’s The Kyle & Jackie O Show targeted national hero Alex de Minaur moments after the Australian No. 1 suffered a heartbreaking quarterfinal exit at the Australian Open.

De Minaur, affectionately known as “Demon,” had fought valiantly against world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz in a high-intensity match at Rod Laver Arena. Despite pushing the Spaniard to his limits in the first set, De Minaur ultimately fell 5-7, 2-6, 1-6 in a match marred by a controversial time violation warning that many believed disrupted his rhythm.

Fans across Australia had rallied behind De Minaur in his bid to become the first home-grown men’s singles champion at Melbourne Park since Mark Edmondson in 1976. The 26-year-old Sydneysider had carried the nation’s hopes with his speed, grit, and consistency throughout the tournament.

Sandilands, however, saw the defeat differently. During the breakfast show’s live segment, he launched into a vicious rant. “We are not here to celebrate their stupid pride,” he declared, referring to De Minaur’s post-match composure and the national support he received. The comment quickly escalated into vulgar insults questioning De Minaur’s manhood, effort, and even his heritage.

The remarks included graphic language that described De Minaur’s performance in degrading terms, mocking his “soft” play and suggesting he lacked the killer instinct needed for Grand Slam glory. Sandilands doubled down, laughing off producer warnings and continuing for several minutes.

The backlash was instantaneous. Social media erupted with outrage from tennis fans, celebrities, and everyday Australians. Hashtags like #StandWithDemon and #FireKyle trended nationally within minutes. Former players, including Lleyton Hewitt and Pat Rafter, publicly condemned the comments as “disgraceful” and “un-Australian.”

KIIS FM’s parent company, ARN, initially attempted damage control with a brief on-air apology from co-host Jackie “O” Henderson. She distanced herself from Sandilands’ words, stating the show did not endorse personal attacks on athletes. But the damage was already done.

By midday, ARN issued a formal statement announcing Sandilands’ immediate termination from The Kyle & Jackie O Show. “After careful consideration and review of the broadcast, we have decided to part ways with Kyle Sandilands effective immediately,” the release read. “Such comments do not align with our values or the standards we expect from our talent.”

The firing marked the end of an era for one of Australia’s most polarizing radio personalities. Sandilands had survived numerous controversies over his 20+ year career, including past suspensions, fines from the ACMA for vulgar content, and public backlash over offensive stunts. This time, however, the target—a beloved national sports figure during a major event—proved unforgivable.

Millions of De Minaur supporters felt personally insulted. The tennis star had endeared himself to the public through his humility, work ethic, and relationship with British tennis player Katie Boulter. His defeat was already emotional; Sandilands’ attack turned it into national fury.

Protests formed outside KIIS FM studios in Sydney and Melbourne. Fans held signs reading “Protect Demon” and “No Place for Hate on Air.” Online petitions demanding accountability gathered tens of thousands of signatures within hours.

The financial fallout arrived swiftly. Sponsors began pulling advertisements from the show almost immediately. Major brands, including those tied to sports and family-oriented products, cited incompatibility with the remarks. Industry estimates placed initial losses at over $10 million in pulled contracts.

Then came Alex de Minaur’s response. Just over five hours after Sandilands’ firing was announced, De Minaur posted a powerful statement on Instagram and held a brief press conference from Melbourne Park.

In a composed yet firm tone, he addressed the incident directly. “I play tennis for my country, my family, and the kids who look up to me,” he said. “Comments like those hurt, but they won’t stop me. What hurts more is seeing division when we should be united.”

De Minaur announced he was launching a charitable initiative in partnership with Tennis Australia and mental health organizations. All proceeds from his next sponsorship deals and a special fundraiser would support youth programs promoting resilience and positivity in sport.

He added a subtle but pointed message: “Words have power. Use them to build, not tear down.” The post included a photo of him with young fans at a junior clinic, symbolizing the positive impact he aimed to have.

The response went mega-viral. It garnered millions of likes, shares, and supportive comments from global tennis stars like Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and local icons. Media outlets hailed it as “classy,” “powerful,” and “a masterclass in handling adversity.”

The announcement triggered a sponsor exodus from The Kyle & Jackie O Show. Companies rushed to align with De Minaur’s positive message, withdrawing from the program en masse. ARN confirmed additional losses, pushing the total beyond $20 million in advertising revenue shortfalls, contractual penalties, and reputational damage.

Jackie O appeared emotional on a subsequent broadcast, apologizing profusely and announcing the show would undergo a major reformat without Sandilands. She promised a focus on positivity and community support moving forward.

The incident reignited debates about shock jock culture in Australian media. Critics argued that boundaries had been pushed too far for too long. Supporters of Sandilands claimed it was “just banter,” but they were drowned out by the overwhelming backlash.

De Minaur, meanwhile, used the controversy to fuel his off-court influence. His initiative raised significant funds in its first days, drawing praise from politicians, sports bodies, and fans alike.

Sandilands has remained silent since his dismissal. Sources close to him suggest he may pursue legal action or seek opportunities elsewhere, but his future in mainstream Australian radio appears dim.

The saga highlighted the power of public figures like De Minaur to turn negativity into positive change. In defeating a personal attack, he strengthened his legacy far beyond the tennis court.

As the Australian Open continued without him, the nation rallied around “Demon” more than ever. His classy response not only mitigated the hurt but transformed a dark moment into one of inspiration and unity.

The Kyle & Jackie O Show now faces an uncertain future. With massive financial hits and a tarnished brand, rebuilding trust will take years—if it’s possible at all.

In the end, ten seconds of on-air venom cost a career, millions in revenue, and exposed the fragility of shock-value entertainment in a nation that values its sporting heroes.

De Minaur’s words echoed loudest: build, don’t tear down. Australia listened, and the consequences spoke volumes.