Nick Kyrgios has blown up at the umpire after losing two crucial points at the Australian Open due to a bizarre technicality – before going on to lose the match to his Bulgarian opponent.
The 22-year-old tennis star was called on two foot faults in the third set against Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, with officials claiming his back foot dragged across the centre marker of the base line.
In true Kyrgios fashion, he questioned the call.
‘I haven’t been called for a foot fault in three years,’ Kyrgios told the umpire.
Nick Kyrgios has blown up at the umpire after losing two crucial points at the Australian Open due to a bizarre technicality
‘It’s not possible man, it’s not possible.’
Adding fuel to the fire, Lleyton Hewitt, in the commentary box, questioned whether linesmen and women were instructed to watch Kyrgios more closely.
‘I wonder whether the linesmen have been told to look out for that tonight,’ Hewitt said.
The foot fault was not the only anger inducing moment of the Sunday night game.
Kyrgios momentarily lost his temper with the umpire when a ball was called long.
‘Obviously I’m going to challenge, champ,’ he said.
‘I haven’t been called for a foot fault in three years,’ Kyrgios told the umpire
Adding fuel to the fire, Lleyton Hewitt, in the commentary box, questioned whether linesmen and women were instructed to watch Kyrgios’ more closely
Kyrgios’ anger was later directed at his own team.
Sitting court-side preparing for the second set, Kyrgios yelled ‘it’s retarded, absolutely retarded’.
He blew up at his supporter’s box for not having a racquet with the right tension.
‘Which one’s a 54 and which one’s a 55?’ he said.
‘Well done. You had all day to figure it out.
‘One thing with the racquets, that’s it. That’s all you had to do.’
The outburst prompted his team to race out of the building and get the racquet restrung, only for him to leave it court-side for the remainder of the game.
Kyrgios was ultimately defeated by Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov three sets to one at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena
When Kyrgios hit a ball into the stands in the third set, his opponent’s coach screamed at one of the supervisors for allowing it.
Bulgarian coach Dani Vallverdu was furious Kyrgios was not given a warning.
Jim Courier, in the commentary box, agreed.
‘He’s saying that isn’t right. He is correct, it isn’t right,’ Courier said.
Kyrgios was ultimately defeated by Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, who stepped up to claim three breakers at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena.