BEVERLY HILLS, February 05, (THEWILL) – Australian Tennis professional Nick Kyrgios lost his temper and was promptly given a point penalty for his behaviour as he lost 6-3 6-4 to Borna Coric in the Murray River Open on Friday.
The spectacular implosion of the 25-year-old happened in the second set of their match. The home favourite was warned for swearing before lobbing a smashed racket into the empty stands in frustration.
The problem for Kyrgios began early on Friday as he battled with a left knee discomfort that required medical attention midway through the match at the warm-up event ahead of the Australian Open.
The player reportedly complained to a trainer between sets, saying: “I can’t serve without pain. When I land it feels unstable. I’ll probably just play one more game. I’m serving at like 170(kph) instead of 220.”
The third-highest ranking Australian, playing his first tournament in nearly a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, struggled on but was cautioned by the chair umpire for swearing in the second set when both players were at 4-4.
After his serve was broken, the temperamental player smashed his racquet and threw it into the empty seats in a reaction that was characteristic of the effervescent Australian.
On Wednesday, Kyrgios had needed assurances from a tournament supervisor that he would not be fined by the ATP for his behaviour in the last round against Harry Bourchier before agreeing to play on.
But, the player was the first to admit the implications of this for the first Open of the year.
“There’s a massive question mark for me, even if I was completely healthy, [after] not playing in a year,” Kyrgios said. “It’s not easy to just turn around and prepare for an event just like that. It’s not like a tap.
“I thought I did everything I could this week. I won a couple of matches, I had a lot of court time and practised every day, as well. I think I’m ticking the boxes, I think I’m giving myself a chance.”
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
