"I can't go to my towel? I waited so many times for Nadal" - Nick Kyrgios argues with chair umpire after getting a time violation warning at Halle Open
Nick Kyrgios had yet another argument with the chair umpire, this time in his Round of 16 match against Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Halle Open on Wednesday. The incident occurred after Kyrgios received a time violation warning in the second set for taking too long to get ready to face Tsitsipas' serve.
The Australian lost the opening set 5-7 but took charge in the second set, breaking Tsitsipas' serve for a 2-0 lead. That was when he was handed a warning by the chair umpire.
Upset by the decision, Kyrgios approached the umpire in anger and said it was unfair for him to receive a warning. The 27-year-old even referenced past occasions where he waited for Rafael Nadal in similar situations.
"I can't go to my towel? I waited so many times for Rafa," Kyrgios said to the umpire, among other words.
*time violation warning mr Kyrgios*
the supervisor arrives, Tsitsipas keeps serving, everything is so perfect https://t.co/yJT79W3U9M
Kyrgios proceeded to call the supervisor and made clear his objection at getting a warning for just using his towel in between points. Meanwhile, Tsitsipas stayed on the court and waited for the match to resume, even hitting a few practice serves.
Earlier in the match, Kyrgios had received another code violation for breaking his racket. This was right after the Aussie got broken at 5-6 to lose the opening set.
Kyrgios gets a time violation warning on Tsitsipas' serve.
"I can't go to my towel? I waited so many times for Rafa", he tells the chair umpire before calling the supervisor.
After Kyrgios' chat with the supervisor, the match resumed and Tsitsipas held for 1-2. But during the next changeover, the Aussie continued to show dissent at the time violation.
"I'm statistically the fastest player on tour, so I'm sorry I have to go to my towel. My hands are wet, my hands are wet," he was heard telling the umpire.
"I'm statistically the fastest player on tour, so I'm sorry I have to go to my towel. My hands are wet, my hands are wet", Kyrgios tells the chair umpire during the next changeover.
The World No. 65 put the incident behind him and played better as the match progressed. He broke Tsitsipas' serve for a second time to take the second set 6-2, before playing another strong set to eventually win 5-7, 6-2, 6-4. This was Nick Kyrgios' third win in four matches against the Greek player.
Kyrgios' meltdown at the Halle Open match came just days after another controversy in his Stuttgart Open semifinal against Andy Murray, where he received a point penalty and a game penalty. Moments after the match, the 27-year-old revealed that he was subjected to racial abuse from certain spectators.
Yeah, why not? 🤷♂️
(@NickKyrgios won this point)
#TWO2022 https://t.co/vTg4OOhIrW
I feel really, really comfortable on grass: Nick Kyrgios ahead of Wimbledon
Some of Nick Kyrgios' most memorable victories have come on grass. Speaking in an interview during the Halle Open campaign, Kyrgios exuded confidence about his chances on grass, calling himself a top 5 player on the surface.
"On grass, you know, I would be top-5, top-10 in the world, definitely," Kyrgios said. "If I'm feeling good on grass, I feel really really comfortable on it."
Kyrgios' joint-best result at a Grand Slam has come at the Wimbledon Championships, where he reached the quarterfinals in 2014. He defeated Richard Gasquet (second round) and Rafael Nadal (fourth round) en route to the last-eight stage.
The Aussie also made the fourth round in both 2015 and 2016, but has failed to reach the quarterfinal stage of the tournament since 2014.
An Absolute Rocket 🚀
Unreal power from @NickKyrgios!
#TWO2022 https://t.co/w9XBHKdKp9