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Murray River Open 2021: ‘Why is he doing this?!’ – Nick Kyrgios refuses to play after time violation
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Published 03/02/2021 at 11:17 GMT
After missing most of 2020 due to the pandemic Nick Kyrgios has returned in style. For the second day in a row he had an argument with an umpire and this time it led to him refusing to play until the situation was resolved by the supervisor. Eventually Kyrgios would beat Harry Bourchier in straight sets 6-2, 7-6.
Nick Kyrgios of Australia reacts
Image credit: Getty Images
Nick Kyrgios produced more drama as the Australian continued his entertaining return to tennis at the Murray River Open, where he beat Harry Bourchier 6-2, 7-6.
The 25-year-old hit out at an umpire on Tuesday during his victory over Alexandre Muller for failing to manage the ball kids and the officials again drew his ire as he faced compatriot Bourchier.
The Australian was poised to serve - at 5-5 in the second set - but the clock hit zero so he was hit with a time violation; he was furious and said the following as he sat down:
Kyrgios refused to play until the supervisor was brought on and, during his conversation with the supervisor, Kyrgios was heard to say: "Tennis isn't about him [the umpire].
“He's an extra to make all this s*** go smoothly, so why is he doing this?"
Bourchier asked Kyrgios why he couldn’t discuss this later, but the 25-year-old was concerned about being fined and wanted to know if he would avoid that saying:
Eventually, he returned and he wrapped up a straight sets 6-2, 7-6 victory.
He had to save set points in the final set tie break but did so with some truly brilliant tennis.
“Yeah feels good,” Kyrgios said afterwards on court when asked about his body given he was seen receiving treatment on his knee in Tuesday’s match.
In the press conference, he clarified that he was keen to ensure he wouldn’t be fined.
Kyrgios will face Borna Coric in the next round and the pair went back and forth at each other on social media earlier this year. Something Kyrgios couldn’t help but refer to when asked about it.
“Borna’s a great player. I’m not even going to think about that now, I’m just going to have a glass of wine and chill out.
The Australian Open is live on Eurosport. Watch every match live and ad-free on the Eurosport app and eurosport.co.uk. You can download the Eurosport app for iOS and Android now.
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