'Doesn't make any f****** sense' - Nick Kyrgios hits out at 'horrendous' officiating after crashing out of Australian Open 2026 doubles
Published 22/01/2026 at 16:42 GMT
React to this story
The officiating at the Australian Open was called into question by Nick Kyrgios after he and doubles partner Thanasi Kokkinakis were knocked out in the first round in Melbourne. The 2022 Wimbledon finalist was angered by the decision to call let on Kokkinakis' serve in the deciding 10-point tie-break. Stream every match of the 2026 Australian Open live and on-demand on discovery+.
Kokkinakis adjudged to touch ball before it crosses net by VAR
Video credit: TNT Sports
Nick Kyrgios lashed out at a "horrendous" officiating decision after he and Thanasi Kokkinakis were knocked out of the Australian Open doubles.
The 2022 champions fell 4-6 6-4 7-6(10) to fellow Australians Marc Polmans and Jason Kubler in the first round, with Kyrgios left seething over a disputed call in the deciding tie-break.
A controversial let was called on Kokkinakis’ serve in the deciding 10-point tie-break and, to compound their misery, Kokkinakis was later adjudged to have hit the ball on the opposing side of the net following a video review.
It was just one of the many flashpoints in a dramatic night at Kia Arena, with the sell-out crowd being treated to a typically-entertaining display from Kyrgios, who threw his racquet, hit out at a heckler, and pulled off some sensational trick shots.
"How can you review a ball that's been hit over the net, but you can't review a serve over the net? Doesn't make any f****** sense," Kyrgios said in his press conference.
"That's why I'm p***** off. We're playing for millions of dollars. We've both been injured, both trying to get to this stage. Some of these rules are just so, so, so dumb. They don't make sense.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/01/22/image-5ae13f86-cc0b-4187-b78d-4df387fa59ec-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Kyrgios hurls racquet on ground as frustration hits boiling point
Video credit: TNT Sports
"How can you not review a let? How can you not review that? How can you not just watch a ball just go over the net? How dumb does that sound?"
Kyrgios had been fully focused on repeating the heroics of four years ago with Kokkinakis after opting not to be a part of the men’s singles draw.
The Grand Slam finalist has been beset by injuries over the past three seasons, limiting him to few singles matches.
"It sucks. For me personally, I put in a lot of work," he said.
"I'm probably in some of the best shape I've been in for a while. It just p***** me off that we go out there and compete, and some of these rules are just a grey area.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/01/22/image-fa8be6f6-3d66-4a0b-b768-981a4ae9dcfa-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
'Who are you?' - Kyrgios unimpressed with heckling in match tie-break
Video credit: TNT Sports
"In my opinion, he's trying to serve, what he's got left, he hits a great serve to start the tie-break. It's a horrendous call by the referee, horrendous.
"We do so much hard work to get out there, to feel like you're hard done by. I'm not saying that's the reason we lost. Obviously Kubes and Polmans, they're great players.
"Just p***** me off because now we both have to go back to the drawing board. Physically we're hobbling. It's just annoying."
While Kyrgios battled on with his knee heavily strapped, Kokkinakis, who has a history of shoulder problems, required a medical timeout after experiencing pain in the joint.
He confirmed that he will take a "serious break" from tennis.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/01/22/image-84d2993b-f1b5-4d94-b0ab-a608b0999f7c-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Watch as Kyrgios 'builds the pressure' with a tweener as fans go wild
Video credit: TNT Sports
"I think I'm going to be on ice for a while. I don't want to play another match feeling like that ever again," he said.
"I'm in no way, shape or form ready to compete at this level. So, yeah, I've got to do some things.
"I had some injections booked for after the tournament anyway. I thought I'd be able to get through a doubles. It's pretty disappointing.
- Cans of beer, Mexican waves, vintage backhands: How Stan Wawrinka kept Australian Open retirement champagne on ice with stunning second-round win
- Naomi Osaka apologises for 'disrespecting' Sorana Cirstea in post-match interview but defends on-court actions at Australian Open
"My right shoulder has had a lot of wear and tear. It's hard, because in the back of your mind sometimes you're accepting, yeah, I don't know how much I have left.
"But then other parts, I still play some good tennis. I think if I can get this right, I've got a lot left. I don't know.
"One thing is I'm going to try to do everything I can. If it's completely done, then I'll work that out. I'm going to try everything I can."
- - -
Stream every match of the 2026 Australian Open live and on-demand on discovery+
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement