Kyrgios fined for smashing racquets in latest meltdown at Cincinnati Masters
Controversial Australian star Nick Kyrgios was fined US$113,000 (Dh415,000) on Thursday after his explosive Cincinnati Masters meltdown which saw him smash two racquets, launch an abusive tirade at the chair umpire as well as appear to spit at the official.
The ATP said the massive sanction included individual fines for ball abuse, leaving the court without permission, an audible obscenity and unsportsmanlike conduct during his second round loss to Russia’s Karen Khachanov.
Kyrgios, who even threw his shoes to spectators, was warned that he could also face a suspension from the sport once a full investigation has taken place.
After winning the first set against Khachanov in a tiebreak, the 24-year-old proceeded to lose the second in another breaker. Sitting in his chair at the pause, he suddenly announced he was going on a bathroom break, with chair umpire Fergus Murphy telling him there was no time.
He walked anyway, carrying two racquets with him. Television cameras showed him going through a stadium door partly made of glass and smashing his racquets before collecting them and walking back onto court.
All the while, he was nagging and occasionally cursing at Murphy.
Kyrgios calmly held his own at the start of the final set, producing a hold which featured three aces. But it was the icecalm Khachanov who took advantage, breaking for 4-2 and running out to a 5-2 margin.
Kyrgios double-faulted to hand over two match points and served up another double after saving a first match point as Khachanov won 6-7, 7-6, 6-2.
He refused to shake Murphy’s hand on the way off court and tossed his shoes and other soft articles into the crowd and handing his broken racquets to young fans before walking off.
At one point in the drama, Kyrgios stood at the back of the court, wrapping his racquet grip, which Murphy kept telling him he was not ready.
Kyrgios told Khachanov to serve, but the Russian declined until all was in place on the Kyrgios side of the net. “He has a really great talent but sometimes the head not in the right place,” Khachanov said.
“It was a really difficult match for me – I had to really work it out, how to get the win.
“It’s really tough [playing Kyrgios], not only for me but for everybody. You have to try and handle it, then you can have chances to win the match.”
It was the second on-court controversy involving Kyrgios in the past week after he rowed with the umpire in the Rogers Cup over his request for a white towel.