KYRGIOS INTO 2ND ROUND
IN the midst of an ATP Tour investigation into an appalling tantrum in Cincinnati, Nick Kyrgios has further inflamed tensions by branding the ruling body of men’s tennis corrupt.
The Australian copped a record fine of $167,000 from the ATP Tour after losing control of his infamous temper during a match against Russian Karen Khachanov in Cincinnati this month.
The Australian lashed out at the ATP Tour at a press conference yesterday after his first-round US Open win against American Steve Johnson.
“The ATP is pretty corrupt anyway, so I am not fussed about it at all,” he said.
“I got fined (US) $113K for what?”
When Kyrgios was asked if he should have been defaulted during that match, thereby avoiding the accumulating fines, his agent John Morris and an ATP press official tried to cut short the press conference.
“Why are we talking about something that happened three weeks ago when I just chopped up someone first round at the US Open?” Kyrgios said.
He then quizzed a journalist as to whether she had ever sworn at someone, before adding: “You are also not an elite athlete. Just answer my question. Have you ever sworn at someone before?’’
Another journalist asked: “Are you saying that elite sportsmen are allowed to swear at people?”
The 28th seed responded: “No, I am just saying people get frustrated. It happens.”
The 24-year-old had moments where his temper simmered during the 6-3 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 victory over Johnson but was relativelycalm by his volcanic standards.
Kyrgios became angry midway through the second set at fans making their way to their seats as he was trying to serve.
After berating them, he turned his focus on umpire James Keothavong, aggressively asking him; “What the f--- are you doing?” This gave the Englishman no choice but to issue a code violation.