MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 27: Nick Kyrgios of Australia throws his racquet in his Men's Doubles Semifinals match with Thanasi Kokkinakis of Australia against Marcel Granollers of Spain and Horacio Zeballos of Argentina during day 11 of the 2022 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
Nick Kyrgios smashed his racquet out of frustration after his 6-7, 7-5, 4-6 defeat to Rafael Nadal at the Indian Wells
Nick Kyrgios is in the news for the wrong reasons once again – this time for a racquet smash that almost ended up hitting a ball boy. Kyrgios cut a frustrated figure during his quarter-final match against Rafael Nadal at the Indian Wells – from arguing with the umpire to clashing with the crowd he did it all but it’s the racquet smash at the end of the match that has sparked a controversy.
After the customary handshake at the end of the match, Kyrgios smashed the racquet against the ground which bounced off and almost hit a ball boy who ducked in time. Kyrgios was asked about the incident in his post-match interaction and the Australian got offended that everyone was concentrating on an “unintentional event” instead of the amazing tennis match.
When asked about the incident by a journalist, Kyrgios said, “What would you like me to say about it? Obviously was that my intention? No. Did I throw the racquet anywhere near him originally? It landed a metre from my foot and skidded and nearly hit him. I’m human. Things happen like that. Obviously it was a very unfortunate bounce. That’s a question you’re going to ask after a three-hour battle against Nadal. That’s what you come here with?”
A visibly upset Kyrgios further clarified, “It was an accident. It was most definitely not like Zverev. I didn’t hit him thankfully. It wasn’t my intention. So thankfully, the ball kid is okay. ”
Kyrgios referred to the Zverev incident in Mexico where the German repeatedly smacked his racquet against the chair umpire’s stand. The German was immediately disqualified by the tournament authorities following the incident.
Alexander Zverev participated in both the singles and doubles event in the Mexican Open. Zverev paired up with Brazilian Marcelo Melo for the doubles draw. During their Round of 16 match against Glaspool/Heliovaara this unfortunate incident occurred. The German totally lost control over himself after the customary handshake and slammed his racquet repeatedly against the chair umpire’s seat. He came very close to hitting the official but didn’t show any signs of remorse. He continued to shout at the umpire.
Zverev was angered by an umpiring call that didn’t go in his favour. The scoreline was 8-6 in the tie break when the German felt the ball should have been called ‘out’ but it was not. He started hurling abuses at the chair umpire in rage. Zverev and Melo eventually lost the match 6-2, 4-6, 6-10. Soon after the match, the tournament authorities made an official statement on Twitter, “Due to unsportsmanlike conduct at the conclusion of the doubles match, Alexander Zverev has been withdrawn from the tournament in Acapulco.”
Zverev was scheduled to play his singles match but couldn’t take part any further due to the disqualification.
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