LONDON: Nick Kyrgios caught the attention of many at The Fever-Tree championships on Thursday, but not for good reason.
The Australian rallied to a 7-6(4), 6-3, win over Roberto Carballés Baena. Although the talking point wasn’t his win, it was his behavior on the court. Leading 5-4 with a set point in his favor, Kyrgios raged at the officials after a second serve from his opponent was called in. Something he believed was out.
Kyrgios: “you are taking the fucking piss. the ball was this far out. What are you doing up there? Seriously what are you doing up there? I refuse to play.”
Fergus: “code violation. Unsportsmanlike conduct. Warning Mr. Kyrgios.”
— Ricky Dimon (@Dimonator) June 20, 2019
Engaged in a fiery conversation with umpire Fergus Murphy, Kyrgios demanded to speak with the tournament supervisor. Arguing that he has been hard done by concerning the calls which have been made. The supervisor arrived three games into the second set.
“Twenty people over there are saying it was way out,’ he pointed at the crowd. ‘Go and ask them yourself. They’re not going to lie to you, they’ve got no reason to. ‘An 80mph second serve. You actually can’t be that bad… That sh*t can’t happen. Know what I mean? Just ask the crowd. He’s the chair umpire and he doesn’t overrule it. I was waiting for a call.’ George Bellshaw from The Metro quoted Kyrgios as saying.
The words from the Australian failed to get him anywhere, but by now his mentality on the court was anything, but stable. Making jibes at the linesman, vocally criticizing himself and even choosing to watch the match next to him during a change of ends.
https://twitter.com/TennisTV/status/1141679070280912896
During the closing stages of the match, a poor lob shot from the Australian prompted him to criticize himself for his late-night gaming.
“So lazy, do something, so lazy you are. You were playing FIFA until 3am, what do you expect?”
It is not the first time Kyrgios has raised eyebrows at Queen’s for his antics. 12 months ago he was fined £13,000 for ‘inappropriate behavior’ after being caught making a lewd gesture with a water bottle.
https://twitter.com/poetcurious/status/1010514905726881792
Kyrgios will return to the courts later today to play his second round match against Felix Auger-Aliassime.
