TENNIS: SUBDUED ENDING AS KYRGIOS EXITS |
NICK Kyrgios was a lightning rod for controversy at the US Open last week, but the fiery Australian was subdued after a third-round loss on Saturday and walked away quietly from the year’s final grand slam.
Kyrgios did deliver a one-word jab at a line judge early in his straight-sets loss to Russian Andrey Rublev, but otherwise steered clear of any of the sort of drama that he made headlines for earlier in the week.
The Australian delivered a serving masterclass against Rublev, but generally lacked his usual intensity and at one point during the match a microphone picked up Kyrgios saying he did not even want to be there.
Still, after the 7-6(5) 7-6(5) 6-3 loss under the bright Arthur Ashe Stadium lights, the Australian 28th seed did not point the blame at anyone but himself.
“He played great tonight. Was super aggressive. I never felt comfortable. That was just credit to him playing his game. Yeah, it was tough,” said Kyrgios. “Nowhere near my best tennis.”
During the first set of his thirdround loss Kyrgios did shout “whistleblower” from his seat in the direction of a line judge who had gone to the chair umpire to report foul language.
It marked a very subdued ending to a week in which Kyrgios got in hot water for calling the ATP corrupt, yelled at fans for leaving their seats during his serve, and threatened not to start a match over a dispute about his outfit.
When asked about the comment picked up by microphones Kyrgios said he has been on the road for over five months and he does not have much down time before playing for Team World at the 20-22 September Laver Cup in Switzerland.
“We’ll see how the scheduling works out. I guess that’s a disadvantage playing from Australia,” said Kyrgios. “I got the very important Asia swing. Don’t want to miss that.”
After Kyrgios suggested he may need rest, one journalist asked if he would in fact welcome a suspension for the way he spoke about the governing body of men’s tennis.
“I don’t know if I look at it like that,” Kyrgios said smiling. “I don’t know. I have no say in it. I guess it’s out of my control.”
Kyrgios was in no mood for controversy on this night, and even resisted getting into it with a reporter who asked what he needs to focus on to maximize his tennis potential.
“I don’t know,” Kyrgios shot back. “You guys are the experts. You tell me.”
Meanwhile, Coco Gauff’s US Open came to an abrupt end under the bright lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday but the 15-year-old said she would leave New York a better player after falling to world number one Naomi Osaka.
Backed by lively support from the packed home crowd, the young American was clearly overmatched against the defending champion, who needed just over an hour to book her ticket to the fourth round.
Osaka, 21, showed impressive sportsmanship by giving Gauff the opportunity to thank her fans in the post-match interview on the showcase court.
“It was amazing. I’m going to learn a lot from this match,” a tearful Gauff said after the 6-3 6-0 defeat.
“She’s the number one player in the world right now, so I know what I need to do to get to that level.
“After the match, I think she just proved that she’s a true athlete. For me, the definition of an athlete is someone who on the court treats you like your worst enemy but off the court can be your best friend.
“I think that’s what she did tonight,” added Gauff, who trained at the same Florida tennis centre as Osaka when they were younger.
Osaka said she had the idea to invite Gauff into the interview when they were shaking hands at the net.
“The thing that people don’t see is that we go into the locker room and just cry and do press after,” she said.
“I thought it would be nice if she addressed the people who came and obviously cheered so hard for her.
“She’s had an incredible week so I thought I’d just make a positive statement out of it.”
While she was full of compassion after the match Osaka was all business on the court, avoiding Gauff’s dangerous backhand and taking advantage of her shaky serving on a warm night at Flushing Meadows. Osaka predicted Gauff would become a threat to the game’s top players when she builds some more power.