‘More punishment? Potentially new umpires’ Nick Kyrgios fumes at the ATP over a wrong line call by the umpire during in another controversial clash
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Nick Kyrgios
Nick Kyrgios once again was visibly unhappy with the umpire as he went down fighting against Reilly Opelka in the semifinals of the 2022 ATP Houston Claycourt Championship. It was the first clay court vent semifinal for the Australian since 2016, Kyrgios looked like one of the favourites to win the title until he met the big American in the last four.
But things did not go the 26-year-old’s way as he was docked a point for an audible obscenity which did hurt him a lot as he was near the end of the second set as he lost 6-3, 7-5.
The overall meltdown was over a missed call from the umpire Joshua Brace. The umpire however admitted that he probably missed the call at 5-5 in the second set. This resulted in a meltdown for Kyrgios who was furious at the umpire and was seen swearing at him hence, he was docked a point.
The whole incident meant it was 30 all on points but it affected the Australian mentally as he committed an unforced error in the next point which led to the outburst as he was given the point penalty which eventually led to Opelka winning the second set and the match.
During the altercation, Kyrgios was heard saying, “F—- out! How are you not calling it? It’s an absolute joke.”
However, Brace admitted, “I believe it now, I made a mistake.”
At the end of the match, Kyrgios went up to the umpire and said, “Do you feel bad?” he asked Brace. “I don’t think you feel bad.”
Kyrgios has had several meltdowns lately. He was fined a total of $US 60,000 ($A80,000) after losing in Indian Wells and Miami. He could face more trouble after his recent clash with Brace in Houston.
The 26-year-old who was clearly agitated also took to Twitter to share his feelings as he mocked the umpire once again for missing an important call. He wrote, “Haha again… falls all on me. Umpires seem to make these mistakes a little too often. A lot of players seemed dissatisfied with the performance of them this week in Houston. More punishment? Potentially new umpires? Semi final, ‘I missed it nick’ on clay 5-5 in the second set.”
No more action on clay this year for Nick Kyrgios
Nick Kyrgios genuinely looked in great touch during his run to the semifinals in Houston. This was his first claycourt semifinals since 2016 but the Australian will be going back home to take some time off, missing the entire clay season including the Roland Garros.
However, he has already promised that he will be featuring in the French Open next year mainly due to the fact that his girlfriend, Costeen Hatzi wants to see out Paris.
Speaking to reporter Blair Henley ahead of the American clay event, Kyrgios said “next year I am going to go to Paris. I’m announcing that now, I’m going to the French Open.
“I haven’t played that in four years (this year being the fifth) so I’ll be back next year. My girlfriend just wants to see Paris. I mean, I’ll play the French Open as well,” he laughed.
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Atrayo Bhattacharya
(193 Articles Published)