Kyrgios cops big fine but pleads innocence
NICK Kyrgios is pleading innocent as officials investigate his latest — and possibly unprecedented — tennis tantrum.
Returning to the scene of his infamous tanking last year that led to a ban from the world tour, Kyrgios was involved in yet another sensation at the Shanghai Masters.
Despite television footage and audio capturing the Australian hot-head telling his courtside box he’d quit after the first set in an apparent protest over the decisions of chair umpire Fergus Murphy, Kyr- gios claimed he was both injured and ill. Last night he was fined almost $40,000 over the incident.
“Guys, I want to apologise to the fans in Shanghai and those that watched around the world on TV today,” he said in a statement after walking off after losing the first set 7-5 in a tiebreaker against American Steve Johnson.
“I’ve been battling a stomach bug for 24 hours and I tried to be ready but I was really struggling on the court today which I think was pretty evi- dent from the first point. My shoulder started to hurt in the practice today which didn’t help either and once I lost the first set I was just not strong enough to continue because I have not eaten much in the past 24 hours.
“I’m hoping to be OK for the doubles and will make a decision tomorrow morning, hopefully off a good night’s sleep which I didn’t get last night.”
Kyrgios is partnering Frenchman Lucas Pouille in the doubles, with the pair teaming for a first-round win in Shanghai the night after Australia’s No.1 lost to Rafael Nadal in the China Open final.
A huge crowd pleaser, another doubles win would also delight fans and swell Kyrgios’s bank account.
But it would be a bad look for the game to condone his return to the court so soon after his spectacular mid-match retreat to the locker room.
“I’m gutted to be honest as I was keen to keep the good momentum that I built in Beijing going and finish the year strong,” Kyrgios said.