Nick Kyrgios dumped out of Australian Open as Eurosport apologise for behaviour
Share:
Nick Kyrgios was thrashed in straight sets by Jacob Fearnley in the first round of the Australian Open. Kyrgios came into the first-round match struggling with an abdominal problem and was a picture of frustration on-court. The controversial Australian constantly held his side in pain and shouted to the entourage in his box during the match, which he lost 7-6, 6-3, 7-6.
Fearnley took the first set on a tie-break before taking charge of the match in the second. UK broadcaster Eurosport were forced to apologise after a swear word-filled Kyrgios rant was picked up by the courtside microphones. During the first-set tie-break, Kyrgios was heard saying: "Just keep f***ing serving, alright? I'm here now. I'm here now so I may as well just keep serving.".
"You can see Nick Kyrgios is starting to unload again," responded commentator Mikey Perera. "I'll keep apologising everybody. It might still keep on coming. The bad language from Kyrgios. He's just venting to his team.". After Fearnley took the second set 6-3, Kyrgios appeared to consider withdrawing on medical grounds, having been seen by the physio beforehand. During the first set Kyrgios was heard saying "it really hurts" and "I shouldn't be out here", but he continued anyway.
His behaviour was in stark contrast to the pre-match press conference, in which he said: "I don't think anyone really feels 100 per cent. As long as it's not something like my wrist again, I think I can manage it.". Fearnley has been climbing the rankings over the past year and put in a fantastic performance on his debut appearance at an overseas Grand Slam. The 23-year-old Scot has reached No.86 in the world and looked every bit a player on the rise, silencing the Australian crowd with his impressive play.
