Nick Kyrgios, known for his fiery persona as much as his tennis skills, made headlines once again during the Australian Open—this time for a heated exchange with the chair umpire during his doubles match alongside Thanasi Kokkinakis. Battling injuries, both players pushed through adversity to entertain the crowd, but an umpire’s decision sparked Kyrgios’s trademark fire.
The injury-plagued return of Kyrgios and Kokkinakis
The 2022 Australian Open men’s doubles champions had fans wondering whether 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 endured a grueling five-set singles loss to Jack Draper, further aggravated by a lingering shoulder issue.
Despite their physical struggles, the duo decided to take to the court for their doubles match, much to the delight of their supporters. However, their commitment to entertaining the fans came at a cost.
The controversial code violation
Early in the first set, Kokkinakis, frustrated after a missed shot, hit the ball into the net and again on the rebound. While his actions were not malicious, the umpire issued a code violation, adhering to the letter of the law. This decision enraged Kyrgios, who felt the official lacked sensitivity given Kokkinakis’s decision to play despite his injuries.
In a fiery exchange, Kyrgios lashed out at the umpire:
“Bro, really? Really? You’re really going to do that? So him trying to play in front of the fans doesn’t mean anything? You’re going to give him a fu**ng code violation for that? Really bro?”*
He further defended his partner, emphasizing the toll their injuries had taken and questioning the need for the penalty:
“We’re both injured right, full stadium of people to come see us play and he doesn’t have to be here right and he hits a ball out of pain and you’re going to give him a code violation.”
“But it’s not unsportsmanlike? I’m just saying, read the game a bit more. 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 pair’s effort to perform despite their compromised conditions, showed their appreciation with a warm ovation.
Kyrgios’s frustrations on the court were compounded by his uncertain future in singles. After his loss to Fearnley, the 29-year-old hinted at potential retirement, leaving fans questioning what lies ahead for the polarizing star.
What’s next for Kyrgios and Kokkinakis?
With both players nursing significant injuries, the duo is expected to take some much-needed time off to recover. Kyrgios, whose career has been marked by flashes of brilliance and controversial moments, remains an enigma, leaving the tennis world wondering if this Australian Open marks the twilight of his journey.