While controversial tennis star and ATP “bad boy” Nick Kyrgios is a tremendously talented athlete, he is unfortunately more well-known for his on-court antics and temper tantrums than his keen ability to strike the ball.
Even though the 25-year-old Aussie is capable of taking down some of the tour’s best players, he often sabotages his chances of winning because he just can’t get out of his own way. He’d rather be seen and heard than victorious.. To demonstrate this point, let’s take a look at five of the most jaw-dropping things Kyrgios has either said or done both on and off the tennis court.. Strap in, folks.
His Best Bobby Knight Impression
In the summer of 2019, Kyrgios was defaulted from the Italian Open during his second-round match against Norway’s Casper Ruud at the Foro Italico.
After Rudd broke Kyrgios’ serve to make it 1-1 in the final set, the Aussie was given a game penalty for allegedly swearing at a line judge.. Kyrgios immediately erupted, slamming his racket and kicking a water bottle. His temper tantrum reached its climax when he threw a chair onto the court.. Before he was officially disqualified, he looked to the crowd who had turned on him and said “I’m done.” He packed up his bag and walked off the court. He was fined $25,000 for the incident.
Blasted Nadal, Djokovic During Podcast
During an appearance on the “No Challenges Remaining” podcast in May 2019, Kyrgios blasted some of tennis’ best players.
Not only did he describe Rafael Nadal as “salty,” he said Novak Djokovic “has a sick obsession with wanting to be liked.” Additionally, he said Fernando Verdasco was “the most arrogant person ever.”
Encouraged Fans to Smear Vegemite, Nutella on Face to Show Support
During Wimbledon 2015, a fan started an online trend of smearing Vegemite and Nutella on their face to show support for Kyrgios. Images of the controversial act quickly went viral and received a “thumbs up” from Kyrgios himself.
“Doesn’t get more Australian than support of your locals and a face full of Vegemite,” he commented on a fan’s Facebook post.. The bizarre trend sparked a racist debate on social media between fans and other players. WTA superstar Serena Williams chimed in saying she was “interested to know” why fans participated in such a way.
Drinking With Journalists the Night Before Wimbledon Match
Rather than preparing and getting a good night’s rest for his second-round match against Rafael Nadal on center court at Wimbledon 2019, Kyrgios was out drinking until 11 pm with journalists.
He was allegedly “chatting with girls” while chugging beers at the local Dog & Fox pub in London. While he lost the set in four sets, the final two were tie-breakers. Things may have gone quite differently had he taken his job more seriously.
Attacked, Spit at Umpire During Cincinnati Masters
At the 2019 Cincinnati Masters, Kyrgios had a complete meltdown after chair umpire Fergus Murphy claimed he was taking too long between serves. He immediately let Murphy know what he thought.
“That’s hilarious. If Rafa [Nadal] plays that quick, I’m retiring from tennis,” Kyrgios told Murphy. He would go on to call the chair umpire “the worst referee in the game” and “a [expletive] tool.”. After berating Murphy, Kyrgios walked off the court and smashed two rackets in the clubhouse hallway. He also reportedly spit at Murphy. The ATP handed him a 16-week suspension and fined him $113,000 for the tirade.