Kyrgios
Kyrgios argues with an official during his match versus Harry Bourchier on Wednesday.
Getty/TPN
  • Nick Kyrgios walked off the court and refused to carry on playing for almost five minutes in his first tennis match in almost a year on Wednesday.
  • He also called the umpire a “peanut” and a “smart ass.”
  • The Australian was unhappy with being called for a time violation on his serve in the second set. 
  • Visit Insider’s homepage for more stories.

Nick Kyrgios walked off the court and refused to carry on playing for almost five minutes in his first competitive tennis match in almost a year on Wednesday.

He also called the umpires “peanuts.”

The Australian star was facing compatriot Harry Bourchier in the second round of the Murray River Open, an Australian Open warm-up tournament. 

Deep into the second set with the score tied a 5-5, Kyrgios, who hasn’t played a competitive match since last February, was called for a time violation on his serve.

Unhappy with the call, the 25-year-old returned to his chair and told chair umpire Jaume Campistol: “I’m not playing, sorry mate. It’s like you’re just doing it to be funny. Do you think you’re funny?”

Kyrgios then refused to return to the court until he had spoken to a supervisor. 

 

"I saw the clock, it was at 3, 2, 1 and I'm pulling my serve here and he called a time violation," he told the supervisor.

"Tennis isn't about him. He's an extra so all this s--- goes smoothly. He's a smart ass and now I have to get fined for it."

He then repeatedly checked with the supervisor if he would be fined, saying he had "lost enough money to these peanuts" seemingly referring to tennis umpires in general.

After being reassured he wouldn't be fined, Kyrgios returned to the court to complete a 6-2, 7-6 (9-7) victory.

Kyrgios is no stranger to arguing with officials. In the first round of the Canadian Open in August 2019, he shouted and swore at an umpire because he was given a tournament branded towel rather than a white one.

At the Cincinnati Masters just weeks later, he then smashed two rackets and and called the umpire a "f------ tool" as he was dumped out in the second round.

Kyrgios next faces Borna Coric in the last-16 of the Murray River Open on Friday. 

Read the original article on Insider