Nick Kyrgios, known for his flamboyant personality as much as his tennis skills, made headlines again at the Australian Open—this time for a heated exchange with the chair umpire during his doubles match at the alongside Thanasi Kokkinakis. Battling injuries, both players overcame adversity to entertain the crowd, but a referee’s decision reignited Kyrgios’ trademark fire.
The injury-marred return of Kyrgios and Kokkinakis
The 2022 Australian Open men’s doubles champions left fans wondering if they would compete this year due to their respective injuries. Kyrgios, returning from wrist reconstruction surgery, also suffered an abdominal strain during his first-round singles match against Jacob Fearnley. Meanwhile, Kokkinakis suffered a heavy five-set loss to Jack Draper, made worse by a lingering shoulder problem.
Despite their physical struggles, the duo decided to take the court for their doubles match, much to the delight of their fans. However, their commitment to entertaining fans came at a cost.
The controversial code violation
At the start of the first set, Kokkinakis, frustrated after a missed shot, hit the ball into the net and then again on the rebound. Although his actions were not malicious, the referee imposed a code violation, complying with the letter of the law. The decision angered Kyrgios, who felt the official lacked sensitivity given Kokkinakis’ decision to play despite his injuries.
In a heated exchange, Kyrgios lost his temper with the referee:
“Brother, really? Really ? Are you really going to do this? So him trying to play in front of the fans means nothing? You gonna give him a fu**ng code violation for this? Really bro? »
He also defended his partner, highlighting the outcry their injuries had caused and questioning the need for the penalty:
“We’re both injured aren’t we, lots of people in the stadium to come see us play and he doesn’t have to be here, does he, and he’s hitting a ball out of pain and you’re going to give him a code violation. »
“But isn’t that unsporting?” I’m just saying, read the game a little better. You don’t need to do that. »
A bittersweet farewell for the fan-favorite duo
Despite their determination, Kyrgios and Kokkinakis were forced to retire while trailing 5-7, 2-3 against compatriots Aleksandar Vukic and James Duckworth. The crowd, understanding the duo’s efforts to perform despite their compromised conditions, showed their appreciation with a warm ovation.
Kyrgios’ on-court frustrations were exacerbated by his uncertain singles future. Following his loss to Fearnley, the 29-year-old hinted at a possible retirement, leaving fans wondering what the future holds for this polarizing star.
What are the next steps for Kyrgios and Kokkinakis?
With both players suffering from significant injuries, the duo are expected to take some well-deserved time off to recover. Kyrgios, whose career has been marked by flashes of genius and controversial moments, remains an enigma, leaving the tennis world wondering if this Australian Open marks the twilight of his career.
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