Tennis’ Marmite man Nick Kyrgios’ Wimbledon hopes are toast – but only after an astonishing performance of petulance and refusing to deny or apologise for seemingly throwing a game.
Few polarise opinion in the sport more than the Australian number two right now and following his second set code violation for swearing, he appeared to protest by refusing to attempt to return the ball.
His actions in the last 16 match overshadowed the progression of impressive Richard Gasquet, into a Wimbledon quarter final for the first time since 2007 following this explosive 7-5 6-1 6-7 (7-9) 7-6 (8-6) success.
It takes a lot to fluster Sue Barker, but the long-in-the-tooth BBC presenter was taken aback by the 20-year-old’s tantrum.
Barker, 59, said she had never seen anything like that at Wimbledon, and under Tennis Federation rules, wild Kyrgios’ behaviour could potentially land him a fine of £160,000.
He blew a Gasquet before Frenchman Gasquet blew him away. His volatility may entertain but there’s little doubt his ungentlemanly antics won’t win him friends at the All England Club.
Kyrgios, who challenged a journalist to return Gasquet’s serve as a way of a defence, said: “If they want to fine me they will fine me. If I am seen as the bad-boy, whatever.
“I feel like I am misunderstood with what you (the press) write about me. If I tell you what to write you won’t write it.
“There were a lot of ups and downs, I am angry. It’s just frustration I’m not perfect I am going to have ups and downs. There are a lot of things going on for me personally, you don’t need to know about them.
“It hurts, you never want to go out of a Grand Slam. I struggled to find rhythm in my serving, I only started to find it later. Richard is playing some great tennis. I just felt like I let myself down.
“I’m getting frustrated at myself. I feel as if I’m playing not how I should be playing. I’m angry at myself.”
They are sure to throw the book at him after another high-profile incident.
Gasquet, whose own game wasn’t without controversy, smashed his racket after letting his opponent back in in the third set. He needn’t have bothered, a tie break in the fourth sealed it and Wimbledon will certainly be quieter without the controversial Aussie.
Kyrgios has already landed himself in hot water this tournament. On day one he was forced to deny calling an umpire “dirty scum” and in the third round success over Milos Raonic, he was given an official warning after bouncing his racket into the crowd.
Gasquet, 29, said: “He was a little bit angry and frustrated, I saw that. Sometimes it happens, he is not the only one to do it.
“It’s true, he gave me a little bit that set but I knew it wouldn’t be the same in the third of fourth, he’s a fighter.
“I have nothing to complain about, I am playing great. I felt better after smashing my racket, everybody understands why.”
