Nick Kyrgios has been accused of tanking during his fourth round loss to Richard Gasquet – appearing to some to give up a game after a heated exchange with the umpire.
The 20-year-old received a code violation for swearing in the second game of the second set and then then lost the very next game to love in a bizarre performance.
Kyrgios failed to return Gasquet’s serve, being aced once down the T and then meekly chipping two balls into the net.
The young Australian’s behaviour drew the ire of portions of the Wimbledon crowd who booed him after the game.
In the press conference though, Kyrgios was steadfast in the face of a barrage of tanking accusations from journalists.
“I kept playing,” Kyrgios said.
“Do you want to try to return Richard Gasquet’s serve? I’ll give you the racquet and we’ll see how many times you can return his serve also. Okay. He served too good.”
“He hit serve past me as an ace. That’s too good. That’s too good … I did move.”
A Wimbledon mediator had to intervene as journalists were relentless with their line of questioning
“And that’s coming from you? That’s your opinion. Just frustration. I mean, it’s tough out there. You know, I don’t really know what else to say.”
“You know, I’m not perfect out there. I’m going to have ups and downs. That’s the way you respond from that. I think it takes some serious balls to respond the way I did.”
Kyrgios lost the second, but responded in spirited fashion in the third set, saving two match points and winning the tiebreaker to send the match into a fourth.
His serve abandoned him when he needed it most though in the next set, squandering two set points during another tiebreaker to be knocked out of the Grand Slam.
ATP regulations state that “a player shall use his best efforts to win a match when competing in a grand slam tournament” and violation of this section shall subject a player to a fine up to $20,000 (US dollars) for each violation.”
It’s not known yet whether or not Kyrgios will face a penalty for the allegations.
At work
Roar Rookie
What I wanted to get across was that this guy cops so much and I don't know why it gets up people's noses so much. Not saying he doesn't act like a dick sometimes, but give him time. I'm still not sure what I think of him, but I'm willing to give the guy a go and let him mature first before I throw him under the bus, like many others have been quick to do.
timbo
Guest
But that wasn't your argument. It was you who compared his actions to a team sports; and of course he isn't going to get dropped...he just needs to grow up and behave in a dignified manner on court.
c
Guest
good luck to the young man tanking discussion not relevant i am most interested in the views of the legend dawns words
At work
Roar Rookie
And there's the difference right there in an individual sport like tennis, compared to team sports. In tennis you play for yourself and nobody else, in team sports you play for your team mates and the supporters of that team. Kyrgios isn't going to be dropped, as long as he's good enough and maintains his ranking that's all that really matters, whether we like it or not.
timbo
Guest
Players in other sports might make mistakes but they get dropped pretty quickly if the mistake was made because they weren't trying. Frankly a rather pathetic argument.
clipper
Guest
Definitely tanked, although wouldn't be the first - though usually done to preserve energy when a set is a lost cause, not just to be petulant. Has implications with betting agencies, although you aren't expected to win games as the receiver, but could alter the set scores.
Nick
Guest
So as well as an immature child playing a man he's also a liar. He well and truly tanked that game and it's insulting to the intelligence of everybody watching for him to suggest otherwise
Rob JM
Guest
Nick is learning one of life's valuable lessons, Authority always wins. Rule 1:- The umpire is always correct. Rule 2:- When the umpire is wrong, see rule one. Once he understands that he can't win against totalitarian umpires he will hopefully have a great career. Kinda sucks to be him right now.
Pablo
Guest
I have seen lesser players getting smashed each set and can only imagine the humiliation ... But they don't give up trying.
Pah-lease
Guest
Tell that to the crowd who paid good money to watch. This bloke is just a volatile mug. You'll see a hundred Kyrgios' down at King's Cross every weekend for free. Save your money. And pray Australia doesn't keep being disgraced by arrogant overpaid immature fools in the future.
At work
Roar Rookie
So he lost concentration and essentially conceded a few easy points while receiving. Can you imagine the mental pressure you're under when you can't hide and every single point matter. Players in team sports concede things all the time, a half arsed tackle, letting a player run by you, not picking up or staying on the player you're defending, there's plenty of example in other sports where players can take a rest during a game
AR
Guest
Don't buy it one bit. Have seen the footage - if Kyrgios says he was trying in that return game, well, he's lying.
Jono
Guest
He also claimed he didn't call the umpire 'dirty scum', so I have a hard time believing him. Not that I'd expect anyone to admit it especially if you can get fined for it. Not a great two days for Tennis Australia in PR terms. First Tomic's outburst and now this by Kyrgios.
Buster
Guest
Hopefully the media don't tear him apart before he's matured enough to handle them better. He's 20 years old for crying out loud! They keep it up and it will make him gate and resent everyone and potentially turn into that other bloke
Scrum Importance
Guest
give him a break I say. He is 20 and still learning. The pressure placed on him by Australian media is huge and when he doesn't handle the pressure well they turn on him. It was one game in which he had a meltdown. He fought hard for the next two sets against a player ranked higher than him and with 9 years more experience as a tennis professional. He needs to improve his mental strength for sure but the backlash is crazy. Does no one remember Agassi, Courier, Becker, Hewitt or any other top ten player from the last 30 years. They have all had their moments. It is tough work being a tennis player - Federer gets bad press for showing no emotion, Sampras was almost boo'd off court for being so boring, Agassi was considered to outlandish for Wimbledon until he cut his hair and toned his clothes down and even the UK's own Murray has been berated. Doesn't seem to matter if you have personality or not the Tennis press will find a way to shame you into changing.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Magnificent, impassioned article on the back page of yesterday's Australian by Will Swanton "Irrepressible Kyrgios should be one to treasure". So well written it nearly turned me into a believer. But alas, normal order was quickly restored. Maybe you should have hung on just one more day before submitting Will?
Clavers
Guest
I for one am with you all the way Nick. You have John Newcombe and Pat Rafter in your corner. Listen to them carefully whenever they open their mouths. You have the mark of greatness all over you. You are the reason I am watching tennis again.