05.02.2021
3 min read

Nick Kyrgios hurls racquet out of the arena in fiery post-injury outburst

The Aussie firebrand has been dealt a significant double blow in his last match before the grand slam.

Nick Kyrgios hurls racquet in fiery outburst

Nick Kyrgios’s Australian Open preparation has ground to a halt with defeat to Croatia’s Borna Coric in his warm-up event at Melbourne Park.

The Australian again struggled with pain in his left knee during Friday’s 6-3 6-4 third-round loss of the Murray River Open.

“I can’t serve without pain ... when I land it feels unstable,” Kyrgios told a trainer.

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Kyrgios then lost his cool during the second set, venting his frustration with the blustery conditions on an outdoor court, and was given multiple warnings by the chair umpire.

As you can see in the video above, the firebrand smashed his racquet into the ground before hurling it into the stands as the match reached its conclusion.

Kyrgios said his knee is “pretty sore” but he expected his body to struggle with the workloads of his first tournament since an 11-month break.

“I’m relatively happy where my game’s at. Obviously I wasn’t expecting much this week but that was a positive,” he told reporters.

“Someone like Borna, I can’t imagine he took many days off during (COVID), he was sharp today. Conditions were so tough for me personally I was struggling to find any rhythm, I served bad.

Nick Kyrgios hurls his racquet during a tough match. Credit: Getty

“He was just locked in, I don’t expect anything less from him. That’s why he’s an unbelievable player. He brings that consistency every day.

“I’m not sad (to lose), I’m not disappointed at all. I played the three matches this week, which is exactly what I needed. Now I’ve got three, four or five days to relax, fine-tune a couple of things and see how it goes (in the) Aus Open.”

Kyrgios believes he is in no doubt for the Australian Open, noting his mental state has given himself a chance to make an impact in spite of the physical struggles.

“I actually feel, I feel good,” he said.

“If I’m positive and I’m motivated, I’m sure I’ll play some good tennis. Hopefully the crowds are going to be alright.

A trainer assesses Nick Kyrgios’s knee during the third-round match. Credit: Getty

“I’m not thinking that (far) ahead. I’ve got four days of just enjoying, I’m not going to think about Aus Open just yet.”

The world No.47 has been labelled the ‘dangerman’ of the men’s draw by former winner Jim Courier.

As an unseeded player, Kyrgios could be forced to face the likes of Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal in the opening round - but his preparations won’t change.

“Personally I don’t care (what tennis greats think of his hopes),” Kyrgios said.

“I just go day by day, I don’t care who I play in a draw, I could draw anyone and I’m going to go about it the same way I go about it today. I’m going to try and serve big, try and play big, try and find my rhythm.

Borna Coric is congratulated by Nick Kyrgios after the win on Friday. Credit: AAP

“If I execute well usually I win, and if I don’t it tends to be a battle or something like today where it’s just a couple of loose points.”

He then offered a sly dig at German great Boris Becker, whose long-running war of words with the Australian explains why Kyrgios does not buy into some external assessments.

“These past legends, I appreciate if they’re positive,” he said.

“I’ve experienced some weird stuff from these past legends, some of them just stalk my Instagram and comment and stuff so it’s a bit weird. I don’t really care.”

Aussies in the fight

Coric was one of the players who tested positive to COVID-19 last June at the Adria Tour event organised by Novak Djokovic, who Kyrgios later labelled “boneheaded” for going ahead with the exhibition tournament.

Kyrgios’s defeat left three Australians still vying for spots in the Murray River Open’s last eight.

Alex Bolt will take on three-time grand slam champion Stan Wawrinka, Alexei Popyrin is up against Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov and James Duckworth will play Frenchman Corentin Moutet.

Earlier on Friday, Jordan Thompson continued his strong form with a 6-4 6-4 victory over Spain’s Mario Vilella Martinez in the Great Ocean Road Open.

The world No.52 will back up against Brazil’s Thiago Monteiro in a quarter-final match later in the day.

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