Nick Kyrgios and his tryst with controversies
The bad boy of tennis, Nick Kyrgios, finds himself engulfed in one controversy after another. In almost every tournament he plays, the Australian tennis player leaves the court after stirring a controversy. Kyrgios is currently playing the Washington Open. In the round of 16 match, Kyrgios threw a water bottle at the umpire's chair. In the same light, here we list his major controversies.
Washington Open 2019: Kyrgios throws water bottle at umpire's chair
The 24-year-old tennis player was handed a code violation warning, despite claiming that the bottle slipped out of his hand. He threw the water bottle with force that led to the label coming off. When the umpire tried to address the situation, Kyrgios kept on insisting that the water bottle slipped out of his hand, until the issue was dropped.
Wimbledon 2019: Kyrgios continues to use cheap tactics
At the Wimbledon 2019, Nadal prevailed in a 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-3) victory over Kyrgios. During the match, Kyrgios twice served underarm. He also constantly argued which led to the referee warning the player. Kyrgios questioned Nadal's speed of play and also blasted a ball at him that Nadal managed to get away with his racquet. The environment was tense throughout.
Italian Open 2019: Kyrgios walks off, loses prize money
At the Italian Open second round match in May 2019, Kyrgios was given a game penalty for swearing at a fan. This was during the match against Casper Ruud. After the penalty, Kyrgios kicked a bottle and threw down his racquet. He also hurled a chair on the court and walked off. He lost his prize money and was also fined €20,000.
Mexican Open 2019: Kyrgios asks crowd to shut up
In February 2019, Nadal lost against Kyrgios in the pre quarter-finals of Mexican Open. Kyrgios, who was booed by the crowd, won the tie 3-6, 7-6, 7-6. During the match, Kyrgios asked the crowd to shut up and the outburst saw him get a warning from the umpire. Kyrgios attempted an underarm serve while serving to stay in the match during the third set.
Queen's Championship 2018: Another bottle act
During the Queen's Championship 2018 in London, Kyrgios was fined €15,000 by the ATP. This was due to him making suggestive gestures with a water bottle during the semi-final against Marin Cilic. He was called for "inappropriate behaviour". Kyrgios sat on his chair at change of ends and did the inexplicable bit of play-acting. The broadcaster issued an apology to its viewers.
Shanghai Masters 2017: Kyrgios retires midway for no specific reason
Kyrgios was fined $10,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct and also lost $21,085 prize money at the Shanghai Masters in 2017. Kyrgios retired midway during the first round match against Steve Johnson. During the first set tie-break, the Aussie had received a point penalty from the match official. He responded by saying that he would quit the match if he went on to lose the tie-breaker.
His controversial incidents in 2016
In 2016 Shanghai Masters second round encounter against Mischa Zverev, he was found guilty of not putting his best efforts and was subsequently punished. Besides being handed multiple fines, he was also banned for eight weeks for 'lack of best efforts'. In the same year, he was warned for shouting at a ball boy at the French Open.
Kyrgios fined for lewd comments on Wawrinka's girlfriend
In 2015, Kyrgios and Stan Wawrinka garnered headlines for their involvement in a heated confrontation in the locker room after Kyrgios made a snide remark about the Swiss player's girlfriend. His on-court comment that his opponent's friend and compatriot Thanasi Kokkinakis had slept with Donna Vekic, Wawrinka's girlfriend, prompted this controversy. The Australian was handed a 28-day ban and $25,000 fine for vulgar comments.
