MailOnline: Charlotte Daly
Slating the music at the Australian Open in 2016
The 2016 Australian Open was a bit of a disaster for Kyrgios. He complained about the music, swore excessively and threw his racket across the court during his loss to Tomas Berdych.
Berdych completed the first set in just 35 minutes. Kyrgios appeared to be complaining towards his box which included Lleyton Shewitt, an Australian great, because there wasn’t enough support.
But the highlight of the match was when Kyrgios took the first set serve. He stopped to complain about music he could hear, which is understood to have come from the neighbouring MCG which was hosting cricket’s Big Bash League semi-final.
Kyrgios was unhappy with the 2016 Australian Open.
If that wasn’t enough, Kyrgios then engaged in a heated exchange with British umpire James Keothavong. They had a conversation that was captured by courtside microphones. It’s not likely it shower Kyrgios glory.
He asked, “Mate are you okay? While we are performing, music is playing. Seven times I have told you this. Are you hearing me? Are you hearing them? It’s a circus, Mate.
Berdych then served out for a two-set lead as Kyrgios continued to moan as he sat down on his courtside chair, muttering: ‘It’s a f****** joke.’
Kyrgios went on to lose the match 6-3, 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 and criticise the chair umpire further – saying ‘you’re a terrible referee’ as he walked off the court.
He complained about music and got into a fight with the chair umpire. He also threw his racket onto the court in his defeat to Tomas Berdych.
Throwing a tantrum over the colour of his towel
You never quite know which Kyrgios will be turning up on court. You can find him playful and energetic or he may be more aggressive and quick-tempered. Unfortunately for the staff at the 2019 Rogers Cup, it was the latter.
During his clash with Kyle Edmund, Kyrgios demanded that he was given a white towel, as opposed to a tournament-branded one. Talk about being a diva!
He refused to participate in the match after he received a brand new towel.
Kyrgios requested information from officials. “This one took you twenty minutes. 20 minutes. You brought two. Thanks.’
Kyrgios requested a white towel during his fight with Kyle Edmund
Caught out partying prior to his Wimbledon 2019 exit
Kyrgios’ controversial antics in court have been a hallmark of his character, but the incident cast doubt on his judgements off court.
The Australian bad boy of tennis was seen at the Dog & Fox Pub in Wimbledon until around 11pm the night before his second-round match with Rafael Nadal in 2019.
Miguel Seabra, sports commentator and Miguel Seabra reported that Kyrgios was seen at the pub with his friends on Wednesday evening.
He wrote: ‘I just had a toast with Nick Kyrgios at the Dog & Fox. He seems completely relaxed and enjoys laughing, having a chat with friends, and even drinking.
“Quite an unconventional preparation for tomorrow’s blockbuster. This is what I love.
It comes a no surprise that Kyrgios crashed out of the tournament. The Australian bad-boy, however, didn’t dwell on his loss and instead went to the pub in order to forget his pain.
At the 2017 French Open, I demanded a beer.
Kyrgios crashed out of the 2017 French Open in spectacular form, smashing two racquets and asking for a beer mid-match.
Australian tennis star, Kevin Anderson of South Africa was able to defeat Anderson in the second Grand slam Paris. Anderson won the second round 5-2 6-4 6-1 6-2.
Kyrgios became visibly upset during the match, and was even asked for his opinion. He was a spectator who bought him beer when he lost serve in the fourth round.
‘Get me a beer now. He said, “Honest to God, give me one right now.” Unobserver replied: “You don’t believe that.” Kyrgios responded: “You’re kidding.”
Kyrgios came into the tournament with a cloud of fitness. His hip and shoulder problems were undoubtedly contributing factors to his death. The then-22 year-old Kyrgios also suffered an unusual nine double-faults throughout the four-set loss.
Additionally, Kyrgios had just lost his Grandpa – making it somewhat of an emotional torment for more reasons than one.
After smashing two rackets, Kyrgios was able to crash out of 2017 French Open.
Following the loss of serve in the fourth round, the “bad-boy” also demanded a spectator buy him beer.
Blaming the defeat on a “hot chick” in the stands
Kyrgios’s ability to interact with fans while on court is well-known. But it doesn’t normally affect his performance.
The Australian bad-boy joked he had lost concentration during his 2019 Laver Cup defeat by Rodger Federer because he had spotted a ‘really hot chick in the crowd’.
However, controversial 26 year-old wasn’t able to withstand a passionate comeback from Swiss grande in Geneva. He was defeated eventually 6-7(5-7), 7-5 and 10-7 within one hour and 51 mins.
After winning the match, Kyrgios did a funny post-match interview. His team was informed by him about his performance.
His words could be heard as he said, “I lost focus. I saw an extremely hot woman in the crowd. You know, I am being sincere. I think she would be my wife right now. Right now.
Kyrgios joked that he was losing his focus after seeing a “really hot girl in the crowd”.
Kyrgios was heard explaining to his bench team the reasons behind the poor performance.
The Italian Open 2019: Throwing a Chair
Kyrgios committed one of the most devastating meltdowns in his adult life after a tense interview, wherein he stated that he couldn’t stand Novak Djokovic.
In an unusual outburst, he threw a chair on the Italian Open court and kicked a beer. His actions overshadowed iconic moments such as Jo Konta claiming back-to-back victories over Venus Williams and Sloane Stephens to reach the quarter finals.
Kyrgios was issued with a fine of £17,000 after losing the plot against Norway’s Casper Ruud when he was given a game penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Playing on a noisy outside court at the Foro Italico, Kyrgios was triggered by the crowd and became involved in an exchange with officials after being made to forfeit a game to go 2-1 down in the decider.
Having angrily hurled his racket to the floor he threw the fold-up chair onto the playing surface and then went into an expletive-filled rant, shouting at the chair: ‘I am giving 100 per cent to deal with f****** idiots like him, I’m done. I’m f****** done. I’m f****** done with it. I don’t give a f***.’
Then, he put his bag on his shoulder and left the court. He was then officially declared out of the match.
Kyrgios was furious at the 2019 Italian Open. He smashed his racket, kicked a water bottle and lost his temper.
Kyrgios took a seat at courtside, and then he hurled it into the middle of the court.
Stan Wawrinka told a friend that he ‘banged his girl’
Kyrgios got himself into hot water once again after brutally trash-talking his Swiss opponent, Stan Wawrinka, during a second-round clash at the 2015 Montreal Masters.
Kyrgios made a comment to Wawrinka third, which was picked up by the courtside microphone. He said that Thanasi Kukkinakis (a teenage Australian tennis player) slept with his girlfriend.
He said midway through his second set: “Kokkinakis has beaten your girlfriend.” “Sorry to inform you, mate”.
Kyrgios was talking about his Davis Cup team-mate Kokkinakis. Wawrinka was romantically connected with Donna Vekic.
Wawrinka was the French Open and Australian Open Champion and was unhappy with Kyrgios’ actions. He took to Twitter to express his disapproval.
He said: ‘So disappointing to see a fellow athlete and colleague be so disrespectful in a way could never even imagine. To [stoop]This is unacceptable and beyond belief.
As a result of his questionable court-etiquette, Kyrgios was fined £10,000 and handed a 28-day suspended sentence.
Harassing hecklers, and calling out Ben Stiller
Kyrgios was defeated by Nadal, the champion of 2022 Australian Open in three sets at Indian Wells. Ending an exceptional tournament, Kyrgios was defeated 7-6 (7–0), 5-7 and 6-4
However, it was Kyrgios’ tantrum that caught everyone’s attention. Kyrgios’ most memorable outburst of the match came when he singled out Ben Stiller – who was watching from the stands with wife Christine Taylor – to deal with a heckler.
This was the extraordinary exchange:
Kyrgios: “Are you good in tennis?”
Heckler: ‘No.’
Kyrgios: Kyrgios, ‘Exactly. Don’t tell my how to play. [Pointing at Stiller and his wife who were sitting nearby]What do I say to him? No.’
Kyrgios was forced to stop his service in order to speak with a man standing near him during Indian Wells’ final and third sets.
Actor Ben Still and wife Christine Taylor found the funny side of Kyrgios’ antics after being drawn into his tirade at a heckler in the crowd
Dropping F-bomb after beating Ruud at Indian Wells
Kyrgios has had a long-standing rivalry with Casper Ruud – having previously defaulted from the the Italian Open in 2019 for throwing a chair onto the court in the final set of their clash.
Kyrgios ensured that he got the last laugh over Ruud in March 2022 – defeating the 23-year-old 6-4 ,6-4 in a ruthless performance to advance in California.
After winning, the Australian continued taunting his opponent. He was filmed saying: ‘No talking. I hear no talking now. None. F***ing none.’
However, Kyrgios later took to Instagram to apologise for his comments – admitting that emotions got the better of him during the match.
After his victory earlier in the month, Kyrgios unleashed the F-bomb on Casper Ruud, an old rival.
Kyrgios, after his amazing victory, looked through the lens of the camera and declared: “I hear no speaking now.”
Fergus Murphy, Chair Umpire in 2019, Outburst
He just can’t help himself can he? Kyrgios was fined £98,904 for smashing two racquets and calling the chair umpire a ‘f**king tool at the Cincinnati Masters in 2019.
The ATP announced the penalties on the day after the tennis bad-boy berated chair umpire Fergus Murphy during a straight sets loss to Karen Khachanov.
The ATP listed a breakdown of eight fines ranging from £2,282 to £15,216 each for violations such as unsportsmanlike conduct, verbal abuse and audible obscenity.
Kyrgios (right) was fined £98,904 for smashing two racquets and calling the chair umpire (left) a ‘f**king tool at the Cincinnati Masters in 2019
Mimicking a lewd sex act at Queen’s, 2018
You would think Kyrgios knew by now, that cameras are always present at these types of events.
The 26 year-old mimicked a crude act of sex with a bottle while playing at Queen’s Marin Cilic.
Live footage from what he believed was a private moment between him and his box player was broadcast to households around the globe.
Kyrgios clutched his drink bottle toward his groin, appearing to be masturbating.
He then played with his water bottle, spraying water on the ground, and took a sip. Then he shared a funny grin. He was fined £13,000.
Earlier in the week he shouted out ‘f***’ during his match against Kyle Edmund, forcing BBC commentary to apologise for the foul language.
It was then that he replied: ‘Fine. I don’t care’.
Kyrgios, who was captured on live television mimicking a lewd sex act using a water bottle at Queen’s, was caught doing it with a waterbot
Refusing to try at Shanghai, 2016
Kyrgios has been accused of tanking throughout his entire career. For not returning Richard Gasquet’s serve, Kyrgios was heckled at Wimbledon 2015.
Fans hoped their furious reaction would teach Kyrgios a lesson, but it seemed to do little good as he did not return shots and served without effort at the Shanghai Masters just one year later.
He was seen praising a service over the net at one stage and he was soon walking away from court after Mischa Zverev had returned the ball.
After swearing at Ali Nili, Ali asked him to behave professionally and he replied: “Can you please call time so that I can finish the match and get home?”‘.
Kyrgios was issued with a three-month ban and a £20,500 fine but he made no apologies for his conduct after the match, even taking aim at the fans.
“I don’t owe them.” [the fans] anything. That’s up to me. You don’t have to like it. Leave. Do you want to purchase a ticket? You can watch me.
You know me to be unpredictable. Your choice. You don’t owe me anything. Doesn’t affect how I sleep at night.’
In Shanghai, China in 2016, Mischa Zverev was beaten by Kyrgios. He refused to return the shots or serve correctly.
He even walked off the court after Zverev served him his serve and won the point.
Taking a phone call on court at Australian Open, 2016
Kyrgios and Ajla Tomljanovic sat down together five years ago before a Melbourne mixed doubles match.
He could have just let the phone go to voicemail. He could have turned it off. He could leave it in the locker. However, he chose to address it on court.
Although Kyrgios was not punished for his indiscretions, eyebrows were raised by many who questioned his professionalism and dedication to the sport.
Officials conducted an investigation into the incident. Tomljanovic was left deeply puzzled but avoided sanctions because it took place pre-match.
Kyrgios stated that some of his friends had called him “Kind of,” He replied, “Kinda, but not really,” when asked about it.
Kyrgios received a call from a close friend prior to a 2016 mixed doubles match.
Ball boy – Pelting a tennis bat
Kyrgios’ humor is usually mild, however, his gags can cause serious problems. In March 2022, Kyrgios lost it at Indian Wells.
Kyrgios was forced to apologies to the ball boy he nearly hit with a tennis racket after his quarterfinal defeat to Rafa Nadal. The Aussie star fell 7-6 (7-0), 5-7, 6-4 and lost his temper immediately after the match.
He launched his racket at the wall of the arena – leaving ball boy Tei Park ducking for cover. Kyrgios sheepishly used Instagram overnight to discover the identity and apologize for the offense.
Sharing a post to his story, Kyrgios said: ‘I just want to apologise to that ball kid at the end of the match.
“It was completely accidental and frustrated me at the end. It was not my intent for the racket to bounce so fast. Anyone know the identity of that ball child? Send me a message. I will mail a racket. It’s great to hear he is okay!
After his defeat at Indian Wells 2022 quarterfinal to Rafa Nadal, Kyrgios had to apologize to Rafa.
Purposefully aims a ball at Rafael Nadal
Kyrgios confessed he was aiming to hit Nadal with the ball during their second-round match at Wimbledon in 2019. The Australian even refused to apologise for deliberately thrashing a forehand directly at his opponent in their ill-tempered grudge match at Wimbledon.
He admitted in tennis that he had been ‘going after him’, and told reporters following his defeat by four sets: ‘I wanted him to be hit square in the chest.
He replied, “I don’t know.” You don’t have to apologize. You mean the guy has how many slams and how much money? He can certainly take a punch to the gut. I won’t apologize to him in any way.
Social media has been flooded with angry reactions to his admission, including calls for the “spoiled brat” to be banned or fined.
Kyrgios stated that he wanted to strike Nadal with a ball at Wimbledon 2019.
The Spaniard was the closest to him and he managed to keep the ball off his body by using his racquet.
To ignore questions and to gulp a Stella Artois
Kyrgios showcased his bizarre behaviour once again during a press conference 2019. Kyrgios ignored the question of a reporter in favor of drinking a beer.
Kyrgios played for Team World and lost to Team Europe at the Laver Cup, Geneva, Switzerland.
Kyrgios and Alexander Zverev tied the last match. Kyrgios then attended a press conference with John McEnroe (team captain) and John McEnroe (US tennis legend).
Kyrgios became angry over Roger Federer’s question during the contest and chose to drink beer instead of answering.
However, when promoted, he said: ‘Probably just had to do with something that I was playing someone that’s probably the best to ever play the sport.
“It wasn’t a matter of poor shot selection, lack of discipline, lack of power, or any other lack. The guy that I played was very good. Do you agree? Yeah. To be fair, it’s an awful question.
He decided to sip a beer rather than answering questions from reporters during a press conference
Long-running rival challenge to Bernard Tomic’s boxing match: Brands Bernard Tomic is labelled ‘dumb and irrelevant’
Kyrgios said last month that Bernard Tomic was too archrival for him to box with and suggested that there are ‘bigger fish’ to be caught than fighting the World No 417.
For years, the Australian tennis pair have been at odds. Their feud escalated last month when Kyrgios called Tomic “the most hated Australian athlete”.
Tomic, 29, challenged Kyrgios (27), to a battle on the grasscourt. In a win-take-all match, each player would stump up $1million.
He then switched the venue of the battle to boxing, requesting that both men’sort this all out’.
Kyrgios, a Canberra-born boxer, has distanced his self from making his debut in the sport. However, he expressed sympathy for Tomic who reached No 17 on the 2016 career ladder.
According to Kyrgios, “He is not very well anymore. He’s no longer relevant. And he obviously has money problems.”
“For someone who tried to stand for him before and tried help him out. Like my family’s helped out before. I paid for his flight back from Shanghai, because he didn’t have any money. It is very disrespectful for him to attack me.
“When he challenges me to boxing matches, like first of all I don’t even know who is going to pony up $1 million because he’s broke. Second, I have larger fish to fry right now. Wimbledon preparations are on my mind. US Open. I am no longer bound by court contracts. However, it is still my right to attend tournaments.
“I don’t believe that’s what he’s doing at the moment. Maybe one day I will be able to take on him there. “I feel like I know him in fitness.
Tomic refutes Kyrgios claims.