Nick Kyrgios' run-ins and tennis tantrums

Australian tennis bad boy Nick Kyrgios' meltdown at the Shanghai Masters on Wednesday isn't the only time he's courted controversy.

NICK KYRGIOS'S RUN-INS AND TENNIS TANTRUMS

WIMBLEDON 2015:

DIRTY SCUM

Kyrgios appeared to call an umpire "dirty scum" under his breath during his round-one win. Afterwards, Kyrgios said he was talking to himself, adding "it wouldn't bother me one bit if they fine me".

UMPIRE BLUES

After Kyrgios brought complaints from a line judge for obscenities, the Canberran took aim at the official asking, "Does it feel good to be up there in that chair? Does it make you feel strong?"

`TANKS' AGAINST GASQUET

Having won through to the fourth round for the second-straight year, Kyrgios faced Richard Gasquet but gave up several points on the Frenchman's serve to face allegations of tanking.

"Of course I tried," he said.

"There was a lot of ups and downs. It was a tough, tough time, especially when he's not missing any balls ... I feel as if I'm playing not how I should be playing. I'm angry at myself."

JULY 2015: TURNING ON RAFTER

Kyrgios turned to Twitter in support of compatriot Bernard Tomic, taking offence at comments from Tennis Australia performance director Pat Rafter.

"Another negative comment out of Rafters mouth. Does this guy ever stop? #everyoneisaworkinprogress" he tweeted before deleting his post.

MONTREAL 2015: SLANDERING STAN

On the way to a second-round defeat of French Open winner Stan Wawrinka, Kyrgios dropped a bombshell between points, saying "Kokkinakis banged your girlfriend. Sorry to tell you that mate" into a courtside microphone.

In an on-court interview after the win, Kyrgios' explanation was less than convincing.

"He was getting a bit lippy with me. (It was) kind of in the heat of the moment. I don't know. I just said it."

FRENCH OPEN 2016: UNBELIEVABLE BIAS

During a tense first-round win, Kyrgios was hit with a questionable code violation call for shouting too loudly when requesting a towel from a ball boy. He responded by waging a war of words with respected chair umpire Carlos Ramos.

Kyrgios accused the experienced umpire of "unbelievable bias" and said the decision was "f**king bulls**t".

He took exception to being issued a "rough" penalty when only a week earlier world No.1 Novak Djokovic escaped without sanction despite grabbing the arm of umpire Carlos Bernardes and pushing him away.

"I think we all know in this room if that was me that did that, it would be an absolute circus."

WIMBLEDON 2016: DOUBLE FINE

Kyrgios earned a $US2500 ($A3,380) sanction for swearing during his first-round win over Radek Stepanek. He also raised the ire of umpire Mohamed Lahyani during the match, believing he was being singled out after he was handed a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct.

"What did I say?," Kyrgios said repeatedly.

"So you're telling me every single person that has said that in this chair has got a code violation?

"You are telling me that? In the history of tennis? Every single person? You tell me that. That's rubbish."

Two days later, Kyrgios copped $US4000 ($A5370) fine for swearing in his second-round win over Dustin Brown.

US OPEN 2016: WEED'S OKAY

Asked if tennis players are allowed to smoke marijuana on tour during a Q&A with his Twitter followers on the eve of his first-round match at the US Open, Kyrgios offered up a simple "yep". He escaped sanction.

During the same Q & A, Kyrgios also teased that he would walk away from tennis - at just 21 - if he won the Open.

SHANGHAI MASTERS 2016: THAT'S NOT PROFESSIONAL

Days after winning his third title of the year in Japan, Kyrgios was accused of unprofessional behaviour by the umpire in a 48-minute second-round loss to Mischa Zverev at the Shanghai Masters.

Kyrgios argued with spectators after appearing to put in no effort during various stages of the match - even walking to the change of ends before one of his opponent's serves had landed.

Chair umpire Ali Nilli told Kyrgios: "You can't play like that, OK? That's not professional ... this is a professional tournament, we have to act professional and play with your best effort the whole time."

The Australian is banned for eight weeks by the ATP - effectively ending his 2016 campaign - and fined a further $32,000 on top of his initial $22,000 fine.


Share

4 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world