“I play the sport the way I play it. I’m not going to change.” So said Nick Kyrgios in the wake of his bizarre outburst during his opening round match at Wimbledon.
He stated to the assembled media following his straight-sets win over Argentine Diego Schwartzman that when he uttered on court the words, “dirty scum”, he was in fact directing them at himself.
Now, that is bizarre.
It is certainly not the sort of self-analysis that many of us would come up with. And, let’s be honest, neither did Kyrgios.
His words came in the wake of a heated exchange with Swedish chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani, precipitated by the fact that Kyrgios felt he had been handed a dud line call. After telling Lahyani, “No, no, no. They are not the rules”, he demanded the presence of another tournament official at courtside to resolve what he saw as an unmitigated injustice.
And, while he was awaiting the arrival of said official, he informed the chair that he would, “Sit down here and wait until whenever he comes.”
The feisty 20-year-old then thought better of his actions and deigned to play on. It was upon the resumption that courtside microphones picked up his “dirty scum” line.
Kyrgios has talent and plenty of it – he is the 26th seed at the most prestigious tournament on the calendar. In November, three-time Wimbledon John McEnroe extolled the virtues of Kyrgios’ game, saying that he is “going to be a top five in the world for sure”.
McEnroe further pumped up Kyrgios’ tyres last week when he suggested that outside the big names at the All-England Club over the next fortnight the Australian is the next best chance to breakthrough for a win.
High praise indeed.
But, sadly, when it comes to on-court misdemeanours, Kyrgios is a recidivist. He came onto the pro circuit with a reputation for being a hothead and he has certainly lived up to that early opinion.
At 20 years of age it is time that he moderated his behaviour, and by extension, his persona. The sad thing about his response to his recent outburst was his acknowledgment that he would not be changing his ways.
He would have been best served in saying that he is aware that he has some things in his game that he needs to work on. To refer to an official as dirty scum is hardly the sort of thing he would be advised to continue.
Nowadays players are remunerated extremely well.
A first round singles loser at Wimbledon walks ways with £29,000 ($58,900). Following his win over Argentine Juan Monaco overnight, Kyrgios is through to the third round where a loss would earn him £75,000 ($152,900).
And therein lies part of the problem.
When asked at his post-match media conference following his opening round win if he was concerned he would be fined, Kyrgios replied, “It wouldn’t bother me one bit”. Fines for the type of behaviour that Kyrgios frequently exhibits are minimal in the scheme of his annual earnings.
His response showed he could not care less if he was issued with a financial penalty.
Krygios’ behaviour is a bad look – period. He was fined $4926 for his racquet abuse and audible obscenities following his first round match at this year’s Australian Open.
His sanction did little to pacify him as he launched an expletive-laden tirade against fans, line officials and umpires – and the odd smack of the ball in the direction of the ball kids – during his match against Italian Andreas Seppi en route to the quarter-finals.
His petulance during the fortnight at Melbourne Park prompted The Sydney Morning Herald to ask in a poll if Krygios’ behaviour had gone too far?
Of the 15,000-plus respondents, 72 per cent answered in the affirmative. Chances are that number will have increased since then.
It is time that Krygios said farewell to his boorish behaviour and simply let his skills with the racquet do the talking. If not, he will continue to alienate what could be a significant fan-base, especially here in Australia.
The artist formerly known as Punter
Guest
James, comment by John Newcombe says it all, John Newcombe, three-time Wimbledon champion: "Nick is an exceptional talent and he doesn't beat to the same drum as everyone else - he's a real individual. Some media people will take the little negative things and build them into big issues, rather than looking at more positive things, which far outweigh the negative things."
clipper
Guest
No - not at all - just saying that cricketers could disguise contempt at umpires as sledging, the way Krygios has by saying he was talking to himself. Don't think the media is helping by promoting his disrespect as a way to increase ratings, making him out to be the new McEnroe.
Craig
Guest
If cricketers speak to umpires the way kyrios did they would end up suspended.
Craig
Guest
Federer goes ok while still having respect for opponents, officials and the game. So does Nadal. Respect and success are not mutually exclusive.
xavialonso
Roar Rookie
Digusting behaviour by Kygrios. It's sad to see such a talented player act like a total douche. I know he is young and has had to grow up under media scrutiny, but that doesn't justify his rude behaviour. Kyrgios and his supporters need to realize that there is more to life than just simply winning at all costs. A true champion wins the respect of fans, along with the trophies and accolades. That is why Nadal and Federer are two of the alltime greats of tennis. They have a endeared themselves to fans by being nice guys and winning everything in front of them.
Jameswm
Guest
Exactly. It's comparing apples with oranges.
Jameswm
Guest
I'm with you guys. Someone needs to show him how lucky he is. Make him spend a day or a week with manual laborers so he appreciates how lucky he is.
Jameswm
Guest
How he carries on now is a reflection on how he's been raised I'm afraid. He's been allowed to think he's special. He's just a good tennis player.
Jameswm
Guest
He's still carrying on like a nob.
Vic
Guest
Being rude and disrespectful to others have nothing go do with youth, excellence in sport, or inexperience. It shows a great deal about how you see yourself in relation to others, and how you were brought up.
Kaks
Roar Guru
Federer has become the most successful Tennis player of all time since he 'stopped being a tool' Nadal is arguably the second most successful Tennis player of all time and he has never 'been a tool' what's your point?
Rabbitz
Roar Guru
Between the attitudes of Krygios and Tomic it seems Australian tennis is becoming a bit of an entitled spoilt brat enclave. If this is the wat Tennis Australia are running the elite game then I fear for its future as many casual spectators will not bother any more.
Bondy
Guest
People like Kyrgios & lazy Tomic are only 20 odd yrs of age their brains have not developed, if they're still this way at 24 yrs then there is something genuinely wrong with them ...
SM
Guest
Hewitt's successes came during a weak period after Sampras and before Federer. As soon as Federer emerged, then Nadal, Hewitt was pushed back into the pack and took his rightful place as the journeyman that he is. Nothing to do with his personality changes through the years.
Pat
Guest
My point about the partying was that every 20 year old I knew made mistakes and were complete bellends. I know every single person has a 'what was I thinking' moment about their younger years. Easy to say you should be professional in your worksite or office and I completely agree - but you don't have media constantly in your face, sponsors constantly hounding you and ultimately no private life and still trying to find your way into adulthood. Not to mention earning a copious amount of money as a 20 year old. I think in 2-3 years he will grow up and learn to live in the spotlight. I think Bernie Tomic has done so in the last 2 years (aside from his father issues).
Pablo
Guest
Other players seem to be able to manage it - perhaps its got nothing about being young and more about the fact he's a bellend.
Pablo
Guest
You can be a character and still have manners and treat people with respect - they aren't mutually exclusive.
Lance Skelton
Guest
Humility is something that Kyrios can hopefully learn over time. It's not something people are necessarily born with. I think the sooner he can learn this the better otherwise he will run the risk of being ridiculed by the fans he loves to please when they grow tired of his arrogant behavior. There's no question he's a talented player. In fact, I've watched a lot of tennis over the years and I think he's amazing. But unless he can curb his outbursts, then I think he's headed for an almighty fall with a tennis public in Australia, and what's more I can see the media going after him as well. Pat Rafter must be quietly furious with him by the way. And let's not forget Rafter made it to Number One in the world, and he was a nice guy...this kid has done nothing yet really.
P Air
Guest
Well said Worlds Biggest - my thoughts exactly. That's his job - do it professionally.
Glenn Mitchell
Expert
Clipper, if you believe he was directing the comment "dirty scum" at himself I think you believe in fairy takes.