Super talented Nick Kyrgios bombed an ideal chance to redeem himself on the opening day of the Davis Cup quarter final clash with Kazakhstan at Darwin.
After teenager Thanasi Kokkinakis was hammered in straight sets by the Kazhk number one Mikhail Kukushkin, the scene was set for Kyrgios to win back a few fans by evening the score against the 115th-ranked Aleksandr Nedovyesov.
But the 41st-ranked Kyrgios blew the chance big time.
In the first tie-breaker set loss, Kyrgios received a code violation for belting a ball clear out of the stadium.
Kyrgios won the second tie-breaker set, but was not only broken at 5-4 serving for the third set, but lost again in the subsequent tie-breaker.
Down two sets to one, Kyrgios was now fuming, leaving his racquet a crumpled wreck after whacking the net, and in the next game was heard to mutter “I don’t want to be here”.
What gives with this bloke?
He has so much to offer, yet he and close friend Bernard Tomic just don’t know how to behave.
Before the Kyrgios Darwin explosions, Tomic had one of his own, charged with resisting arrest and trespass in Miami.
Are they both trying to outdo each other?
It’s been 15 years since Australia has had two world class men on the tournament circuit in Pat Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt.
Kyrgios and Tomic were heading in that direction until Tomic gave Tennis Australia and Rafter such a massive spray at Wimbedon, he was banned from taking part in this Davis Cup tie.
Originally, Kyrgios said he would support Tomic by making himself unavailable for Darwin. A rare wiser head prevailed.
But Australian Cup captain Wally Masur, a dedicated bloke, didn’t grab the opportunity to cool Kyrgios down. Instead, he said “I won’t do anything to change Nick, he is a different individual”.
That he is, but it’s easy to see how such a volatile talent could so quickly disappear down the toilet.
And what a tragic waste that would be.
The precocious talent problem with both Kyrgios and Tomic is crystal clear – how can their careers be saved first of all, and secondly how can that talent be harnessed?
There are no easy answers, especially if Kyrgios and Tomic prefer to be loose cannons.
But first things first, there’s a Davis Cup tie to be salvaged.
With Kokkinakis beaten 6-4 6-3 6-3 and Kyrgios going down 7-6 6-7 7-6 6-4 on day one, 34-year-old Lleyton Hewitt – with 27-year-old Sam Groth – must win today’s doubles to keep the tie alive.
Kyrgios will play the first of the reverse singles tomorrow, and must win, leaving Kokkinakis to win the final match.
Judging by yesterday, salvaging this tie will be a lost cause.
But it’s another ideal time for Kyrgios to stand up and be counted, this time for his country.
Those chances are not only wearing thin, but running out.
Mantis
Roar Guru
How quickly everyone forgets... It was only 10 or so years ago that everyone hated Lleyton Hewitt as well. I was always a Lleyton fan, and was always in the minority when this was brought up in conversation. Also it was interesting to note that when Lleyton won the last reverse singles tie and sealed the win for Australia, the first person on the court to hug him and congratulate him was Nick Kyrgios. That surely has to be a good sign.
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
Kyrgios is an emotional person who just expects perfection from himself after so many years at the sport. I know where he is coming from, I played Tenpin Bowling for over 15 years and I still get angry with myself for silly mistakes, things I should have mastered years ago. He is young and will grow out of it when he accepts that it sometimes just happens.
Gremlins
Guest
He's not a great player at the moment, although he certainly could be if he wanted to. He's an indifferent player who spits the dummy and throws in the towel (go on, play with that image in your head) rather than works at improving his game and attitude.
Gremlins
Guest
I'm of the opinion that these two brats can represent me only when (and if) they do some growing up and earn the nation's respect. Until that day, I'd rather not be represented at all, thank you very much. I really hate being embarrassed on the international stage.
Ten four
Guest
Wallabies had a win over the the springboks tonight
In Brief
Guest
All worthy sentiments, but Davis Cup isn't the place for rehabilitation. Bring him into the fold if you like, but don't reward his behaviour with selection.
MrFlibble
Roar Rookie
I'm sorry but did you call Lleyton Hewitt a "world class man" from 15 years ago? You're kidding right? He was the archetype for petulant behaviour from a young Aussie tennis player. Calling officials 'spastics' among other things, complaining about the court every time he started losing, blaming everything and anything on why he lost a match rather than say he was outplayed on the day etc. While he may have 'played hard' until the end of matches, unlike Kyrios and Tomic, his behaviour during trip to the top was as bad as kyrios and tomic's. The only reason he reigned it in was that he became an 'also-ran'. Sure he was a thorn in player's sides but was never a big threat to win a title, let alone make a quater/semi final.
Ra
Guest
not at all. I'm supporting Masur. He gave the kid a break, a chance to redeem his shocking behaviour at Wimbledon. The fool did a repeat which confirms centre court is no place for him ... at the moment ....( He obviously needs external support to cope with his internal struggles )....... .....( The best thing Australia and World tennis can do to support him is to put a freeze on his professional licence)... ......(I’m sure that people like you Stubbie who rocked up to watch this world class event here in Darwin and over in London did not pay big money just to watch some kid throw his little tantrums. ..... ) ..... (Go up Mitchell Street Darwin 2am-4am on a Sunday and be guaranteed to see it all for free) .... try being a taxi driver that hour of the morning - I was
Darwin Stubbie
Guest
What sponsors tent ? .. and im not exactly sure what your trying to say but if you're actually trying to make more excuses for his cr@p behaviour - perhaps your mate should have been bothered stay courtside today to see some real passion about playing for your country
Hanes
Guest
You think the international tennis governing body would step in and not leave it to tennis Australia to halt this behaviour-- he needs help and isn't a good image for tennis full stop let alone the poor umpires and officials who have to accept this behaviour on what is now a regular occurrence .. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Ra
Guest
I praise Masur for giving him the opportunity to turn himself around. The guy is obviously a great player in the making but a crap person in the moment. He obviously needs external support to cope with his internal struggles. The best thing Australia and World tennis can do to support him is to put a freeze on his professional licence to save him from himself while that help is being accessed and administered. For those who support his acts of stupidity, I'm sure that people like you Stubbie who rocked up to watch this world class event here in Darwin and over in London did not pay big money just to watch some kid throw his little tantrums. Go up Mitchell Street Darwin 2am-4am on a Sunday and be guaranteed to see it all for free. Or were you in one of those sponsors tents Stubbie ???
Akari
Roar Rookie
Get over it, KO. Kyrgios may not have been in the right frame of mind to play this week. Then again, go well ahead, spit the dummy and ban the two from ever representing Oz and become the laughing stock of the tennis world. It's only a game and perhaps, Lordy should stick to commentating on rugby and the mess that Oz rugby is in right now.
Freighter
Guest
why do you think that David?
In brief
Guest
Picking Kyrgios for David Cup was a disaster waiting to happen. Masur shows an incredible lack of judgement.
David Lord
Expert
Roarers, there's only one bloke on the planet who is in a position to save the sagging careers of Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic - and that's Lleyton Hewitt, the Davis Cup captain-in-waiting. Kyrgios and Tomic should pray Hewitt believes in them.
ken oldman
Guest
IMO Tennis Australia should ban these two players N.K.and B.T.... from representing this great country in all future Davis Cup and any event at all where Australia is on the stage..........let them play in touraments where they represent themselves as long as they don,t wear the colours of this nation.....full stop finish..enough is enough .
Darwin Stubbie
Guest
While not wanting to take anything away from the effort of Kazhki lad (who served well, kept his head and was utterly professional in his approach) the lack of effort from Kyrgios was clear for all that were courtside ... wasn't tanking but basically just an impression of go for the glory short and if it goes in great - if not .. didn't give a stuff ... Kokkinakis was outplayed but at least he put in a shift ... It's pretty clear Masur garners zero respect from Kyrgios and is basically treated as nothing more that additional court side helper ... the final indignity being to scamper around court side to pick up the additional 2 smashed rackets Kyrgios decided to wreak and toss in the tramlines just prior to stomping off the court ... After that yesterday, if I was Masur, I'd be talking to Hewitt or Groth about taking a reverse singles on Sunday and shipping the clown out of Darwin on the first available flight .. On the plus side .. Fantastic support shown by the small band of travelling Kazhki supporters and should be a good atmosphere today for the doubles as you can at least guarantee there'll be more fight from the Aussie lads
Ra Bro
Guest
Well he starth this, so he can taketh this away !!
Rock
Guest
Kyrgios has a fair temper which is currently getting him into trouble, but he is absolutely not in the ballpark to be near as bad as Tomic. Tomic is a completely disrespectful fool, who blames everyone else for his issues - however he has learnt from the best in his father who is a terrible human being.
Don Freo
Guest
Do all of our prayers go to David?