“Don’t think his paycheck got taken away,” Nick Kyrgios defends himself against fan allegations of being ‘holier than thou’ as the Nuno Borges-Cristian Garin spat continues on social media

Nick Kyrgios also lashed out at the umpire when an X user pointed out how everyone makes a mistake.

“Don’t think his paycheck got taken away,” Nick Kyrgios defends himself against fan allegations of being ‘holier than thou’ as the Nuno Borges-Cristian Garin spat continues on social media

Nuno Borges, Nick Kyrgios (Images via Imago, X)

Controversy erupted during the quarterfinal clash in the Estoril Open between Cristian Garin and Nuno Borges on Friday (April 6). A loud “out” from a spectator led to confusion with the umpire being at the receiving end of the tennis fraternity’s criticism. Australia’s Nick Kyrgios also joined the debate.

The incident happened during the second set of the match. During the rally, Borges returned a shot and someone from the crowd shouted “out“. After Garin hit the ball, Borges’ shot went outside the baseline and the umpire awarded the point to Garin who eventually won the match 6-2, 7-6(7-3).

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Nick Kyrgios, who previously called out the umpire, lashed out again when an X user pointed out how everyone makes a mistake. The X user, @Big3Tennis, uploaded a gif of a furious Kyrgios throwing a chair during a match, which led to the Aussie reminding the user that he was penalized for his behavior afterwards.

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Uh? I wasn't allowed to keep competing that week and lost prize money? That should be the consequence no? At least? Don't think his pay check got taken away. Stfu
Nick Kyrgios wrote on X

Cristian Garin booked himself a semifinal spot against Hubert Hurkacz after beating Nuno Borges in that match. However, the Pole, Hurkacz got the better of Garin in a three-setter. The final of the Estoril Open is on April 7.

Nick Kyrgios says umpires must not make frequent mistakes

Nick Kyrgios did not stop there. Known for his short temper during matches, the Aussie bad boy asserted his stance on the umpire, slamming him for judging poorly in the matches, than fans on social media.

Nick Kyrgios
Nick Kyrgios (Image via Imago) 
And also? He is an umpire, don't think someone should be making as many mistakes this FREQUENTLY. I think being an umpire is a little easier than playing at the highest level. But yeah a guy who idolises tennis players and lives on twitter has the best judgment.
Nick Kyrgios wrote on X

When another user gave a reality check to Kyrgios that he was not banned for life after he lost his cool, the Australian asked whether his behaviors affected someone’s outcome. Kyrgios wants everything to be AI-controlled, pointing out how umpiring mistakes cost players thousands of dollars.

Kyrgios has not yet made his comeback to the sport due to multiple injuries. He last played in the Stuttgart Open in June 2023.

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