“Worst idea ever” Nick Kyrgios goes on a rant being furious with Miami Masters officials
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Nick Kyrgios
Playing in the 2022 Miami Masters by the virtue of a wildcard, Nick Kyrgios has started well in the tournament picking up a 7-6(3), 6-3 win over Adrian Mannarino. The Australian is currently ranked 102nd in the world and would need a good fortnight in Miami to break into the Top-100 once again.
Nick did not have a good start to his season as days before his season debut, he tested positive for Covid-19 which saw him skip all tour events and start directly at the 2022 Australian Open. At the major, he lost in the second round to eventual runner-up Daniil Medvedev while he went on to win the doubles title with childhood buddy Thanasi Kokkinakis, winning his first Grand Slam title.
He did not play during the month of February and returned directly at the 2022 Indian Wells Masters where he reached the quarter-final before being taken down by Rafael Nadal who finished as the runner-up a couple of days later. The run in Indian Wells however saw him rise in 30 ranking places and make him the World No. 102 before coming to Miami.
During the match against Mannarino, Kyrgios was seen discussing with the chair umpire during the changeover and seemed furious with the change of the tournament location from Key Biscayne to the Miami Gardens where the tournament is being held since 2019.
“The worst idea was to move it from Key Biscayne….why did they move it…what was wrong with the event…what was wrong with Key Biscayne. Perfect tournament at Key Biscayne they should have left it there. What was wrong with Key Biscayne why did we move it? Worse idea ever,” said Kyrgios as reported by journalist John Horn.
Nick Kyrgios is playing in Miami Gardens for the second time
The Miami Open was played in Key Biscayne at the Crandon Park from 1987 to 2018 and was the longest-serving venue of the tournament that began in 1985. However, with the change of ownership of the tournament being sold to the IMG. With the new organisers planning an expansion of the tournament, the Crandon Park was not found suitable for any possible expansion.
The tournament also found itself in a legal dispute over the land and the construction of the site and the surface was also one of the slowest on the Tour that saw long rallies being played between the players. Keeping in mind these things, the tournament decided to move to the current location of the Hard Rock Stadium in the Miami Gardens where the tournament is being held from 2019.
With Nick’s anger justified only by the reason that the new location does not have historical importance, it will be interesting to see if any more players join the Australian in expressing similar views. Playing in the Miami Masters for the 4th time, Nick’s first three appearances came in Crandon Park where he reached the semis on the first two occasions (2016, 2017) before losing in the 4th round in 2018.
He was defeated in the 4th round again in 2019 when he made his debut in Miami Gardens and this is his second appearance at the new location while his 5th of the tournament where he continues his hunt for his first title. Nick with his win over Adrian will now take on the 6th seeded Andrey Rublev in the second round in what promises to be an exciting clash between the two in-form players.
Also Read: When will Rafael Nadal return after the rib injury? Will he play the 2022 French Open?
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Sarthak Shitole
(3462 Articles Published)