LONDON: Nick Kyrgios has hit out at the Fever-Tree Championships for not having a hawk-eye system on their outside courts following a day where he has argued with both umpires and linespeople.
The Australian wasn’t afraid to express his frustration during his first round match on Thursday, but he reached boiling point following his 6-7(4), 7-6(3), 7-5 loss to Felix Auger-Aliassime later in the day. In both matches, Kyrgios criticized officials over a series of calls. Following his defeat to the Canadian at Queen’s, he threw his racket outside the court. Narrowly missing hitting somebody.
“I knew some of the calls weren’t going to be great. I thought some of the calls were outrageous today. It shouldn’t have to come down to me and Felix giving each other points. He gave me a point at a pretty crucial time, and I gave him a point at a pretty crucial time.” Kyrgios said during his press conference.
“I just don’t think, at this level of sport, that we should have line judges and umpires that aren’t making the right decisions.”
Continuing to express his frustrations, the 24-year-old then suggested that there were double standards in the sport. Arguing that players are penalized for their mistakes, but not officials. Branding the current situation as ‘ridiculous.’
“They don’t get any warning or fine or anything for their mistakes. So what’s the difference? For me doing a code violation, why can’t they get fined for having a terrible day in the chair? There are hundreds of thousands of dollars on the line. It’s not a joke. They just think it’s a joke because nothing happens to them after the match. They don’t get any investigation or anything.”
During his opening clash, Kyrgios went as far as saying that the officials were ‘rigging’ the game against him. Although he has since clarified those remarks. Saying instead that he is being deliberately provoked by some people.
“He (the umpire or linesmen) knows I’m going to retaliate. Like, all the referees know that. They talk about it, for sure. They know I’m never going to be the type of guy that’s going to get a bad call and not let them hear about it.” He said,
“I just don’t think they get punished enough, like sanctioned enough if they make a bad decision.”
Whilst livid, Kyrgios didn’t go as far as saying that officials should be axed and replaced with technology. Something that has been done at the ATP Next Generation Finals in Milan. Arguing that he wants ‘people who are just doing their job correctly.’
It all likelihood, the world No.38 is set to receive a fine of somewhat for the code violations committed today. Last year he was docked £13,000 for making a lewd gesture with a water bottle during one of his matches.
“I don’t care, Man. If you’re gonna fine me for that, that’s fine.” He concluded.
