Nick Kyrgios admits he was a ‘d***head’ and APOLOGISES after Australian Open rant

‘I was being a bit of a d***head’: Nick Kyrgios APOLOGISES to his team after sarcastic, foul-mouthed rant at them during second round victory over Gilles Simon at the Australian Open

Australia’s view of Nick Kyrgios continues to be transformed by his deeds both on and off the court.

He is into the third round of the Australian Open, registering sky high TV viewing figures across the nation, packing out stadiums and having crowds hang on his every word.

The enfant terrible remains on course for a colossal fourth match against Rafael Nadal, who he playfully mimicked in the course of a four-set victory over Frenchman Gilles Simon.

Nick Kyrgios had a meltdown during the third set against Gilles Simon at the Australian Open

Kyrgios was unhappy with the words of support coming from his coaches at Melbourne Park

Kyrgios was unhappy with the words of support coming from his coaches at Melbourne Park

The Australian now plays powerful Russian Karen Khachanov, but it is his effort in leading the efforts of athletes to raise money for victims of bushfires still raging in the country that has most caused the reassessment among his compatriots.

‘It’s a good feeling,’ he said of his charity campaign during his on-court interview. ‘I woke up this morning and there were fires close to Canberra, it’s tough, but the whole tennis world is behind it now.’

There was yet another reminder of the climate issue in the scenes at Melbourne Park on Thursday, where play on the outside courts was severely delayed. 

Deposits of brown sludge had to be power-hosed off the courts after vicious winds had whipped up desert dust and come down, mixed into overnight downpours.

Already in the past 10 days Mother Nature has delivered to this city biblical rainfalls, hailstones the size of ping pong balls and smoky haze blowing in from the fires.

Andy Murray is not here, but the spirit of him barracking his own courtside support box lives on in Kyrgios, who in a further sign of maturity spoke later of how much he regretted that tendency.

Kyrgios praises opponent Simon during his second round match at the Australian Open

Kyrgios praises opponent Simon during his second round match at the Australian Open

After losing the third set, he unleashed on his coaches, seemingly unhappy with their words of support. 

‘Absolutely flying colours. So creative. So creative. Out of all the things you could say: ”Stay tough.” Thanks, man. Thanks,’ Kyrgios said.

He then added: ‘That’s what I get on every break point. Wow. ”Stay tough,” yep. That’s good, that’s good. S***. S***.’ 

Afterwards Kyrgios admitted: ‘I was being a bit of a d***head to them.

‘I apologised as soon as I went back into the locker room. They don’t deserve that. They do a lot of things for me on and off the court. It’s not acceptable from me.’

He does not want to look ahead to Nadal, whose fiddly mannerisms were mimicked by both the Australian and his opponent to the delight of the crowd. Asked whose impression was better he replied: ‘I don’t wear underwear, so probably Gilles.’

And in another heart warmer he was due to play in the mixed doubles with rising American star Amanda Anisimova, whose father died of a sudden heart attack before Christmas.

‘She’s an amazing person,’ said Kyrgios. ‘She lost first round (in singles). I know it’s not going to be easy for her to be around the tournament. Hopefully I can get her up, bring some good vibes.’

 

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