An eye-catching moment during Nick Kyrgios’s first-round loss at the Australian Open has summed up the problems fans have with the maverick star as they lashed out online.
The 29-year-old’s comeback from serious wrist and knee injuries – plus a new abdominal complaint – fell apart in straight sets on Monday night as he fell to Britain’s Jacob Fearnley.
Kyrgios seemed to be climbing back into the match after dropping the first two sets when he served underarm, then hit a behind-the-back forehand before winning the point on an unforced error from the Englishman and raising his finger into the air to acknowledge the cheering crowd.
It was a typically flamboyant moment of showmanship – but given he had shown next to no fight as he lost the first two sets, the display set fans off.
‘I think you would say it’s the first time in the match when Nick is actually engaged in each point and rally, properly, mentally and physically,’ Nine commentator and former tennis star Todd Woodbridge said.
Many fans took that ball and ran with it as they reacted to the flashy point.
Kyrgios is pictured grimacing as he clutches at his injured midsection during his loss to Jacob Fearnley on Monday night
The divisive Aussie pulled out two of his flamboyant moves in the same point as he struggled to save the third set – and many fans weren’t impressed at all
Kyrgios (pictured trying to defend at the net) was told to stop trying to be a showman and concentrate on winning games after he was bundled out in straight sets
‘I found it disrespectful,’ one wrote on X in a sentiment that was echoed by several other commenters.
‘It’s bush league – not so much the underhand serve, but the behind-the-back swing. Save that for the seniors tour. Nick is coming across as a non-serious player, which is a shame because he’s clearly elite and has the ability to dominate,’ another said.
‘He should only do exhibitions. He just wants to be a showman on the court,’ added a third commenter.
‘I was a huge Kyrgios fan, but the same old hits are wearing thin now. I think that’s it for him now. An interstellar talent undone by character,’ another wrote.
Other comments on the point included, ‘Meanwhile some young Aussie kid misses out on grand slam experience because woe begone we need to be “entertained”‘, ‘Being the showman doesn’t win matches, being the better tennis player does that’, and ‘Mediocre performance with circus-like antics just to entertain the crowd and stir them up’.
Pictured: A selection of comments from tennis fans who slammed the 29-year-old’s flashy display during the defeat
In the aftermath of the defeat, Kyrgios announced that he doesn’t expect to play singles again at his home grand slam.
‘Realistically, I can’t really see myself playing singles again here,’ he said.
‘So… It was special. I’ve taken that in. It was pretty good. I mean, yeah, I knew I had doubles and I was kind of taking everything in tonight, in those moments.
‘It was nuts. But yeah, I didn’t want to just throw in the towel or walk off or retire.’
He added that he was ‘hurting physically’ but he wasn’t going to let down the fans ‘who had waited hours’ in huge queues outside Melbourne Park to see him play.
However, the loss won’t be the end of his career. Kyrgios stated that he will continue to play doubles and if his body is right, will keep playing singles at the remaining slams this year.
He’s due to team up with his great mate Thanassi Kokkinakis in the men’s doubles draw on Wednesday as the pair try to win another crown after taking the Australian Open title in 2022.
‘I knew tonight was going to be tough,’ he said.
‘With my physical state, I knew I was going to be really hindered with my serve. But just seeing the fans line up for four or five hours and the amount of people that were supporting me – it was hard to throw the towel in.
‘It would have been really easy to just roll over but I tried to do the best I could with the state I was in physically.
‘Obviously, it was heartbreaking. I wanted to play well and the timing of the abdominal strain is not good but it is what it is.’
