Australia’s Nick Kyrgios has made headlines at the Western and Southern Open, but for all the wrong reasons.
Kyrgios, who recently won the Citi Open in Washington, engaged a tense confrontation with umpire Furgos Murphy on Wednesday. Branding the official as ‘the worst f***ing referee ever‘ during a series out outspoken remarks. The trigger for Kyrgios’ rage was when he received a time violation from Murphy. Something he argues, would have not occurred if Rafael Nadal was playing.
“So you’re telling me Rafa plays that quick. That quick on every service point? That’s hilarious bro, hilarious!” Kyrgios said to Murphy during one of the change of ends in the second set.
“It’s absolute rubbish, it’s a disgrace.” He added.
"Absolute rubbish…Disgrace."
Nick Kyrgios is fired up again after a time violation.
Cincinnati Masters live on ESPN. pic.twitter.com/jWLnvasdZQ
— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) August 15, 2019
Frustrated by the penalty, Kyrgios’ mood on the court deteriorated further. During another stage of the match he requested a toilet break, which was denied by Murphy. However, Kyrgios proceeded to leave the court anyway. Taking two tennis rackets with him, which he smashed in the corridor before returning back to the court.
“Worst f—ing ref ever,” he said after returning. “The worst ref in the game. … The worst. Hands down.”
BANG, BANG!! 💥💥
Nick Kyrgios absolutely DESTROYED two racquets and the commentators lost it 😂 😂
Watch the Cincinnati Masters live on ESPN. pic.twitter.com/q2d2dTeND3
— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) August 15, 2019
Kyrgios was playing Russian eighth seed Karen Khachanov and took the first set before losing 6-7(3), 7-6(4), 6-2. At the end of the match, Kyrgios appeared to spit in the direction of Murphy before refusing to shake his hand. Saying to him ‘you’re a f***ing tool bro.’ He went on to hand his shoes and other items to the crowd. Giving his broken rackets to young fans watching before walking off.
Kyrgios loses, then shouts: "you're a fucking tool bro" to Fergus Murphy, and spits at him. Refuses to shake Murphy's hand.@TennisTV #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/O27fsxQNkT
— Matthew Willis (@mattracquet) August 15, 2019
The world No.27 is likely to be issued with a fine following his latest antics on the court, but it will by no means by the first time this season Kyrgios has been penalised. At the Fever-Tree Championships he was docked $17,500 for unsportsmanlike conduct. Meanwhile, back in May he was fined 20,000 euros and lost all of his prize money for a series of offences committed at the Italian Masters in Rome. Including throwing a chair onto the court, which got him defaulted from the tournament.
“He has a really great talent, but sometimes the head not in the right place,” Khachanov said of Kyrgios. “It was a really difficult match for me. I had to really work it out, how to get the win.
“It’s really tough [playing Kyrgios], not only for me but for everybody. You have to try and handle it, then you can have chances to win the match. Always try to stay in there.”
Khachanov will play France’s Lucas Pouille in the next round.
