Nick Kyrgios storms off court: 'Emotions got the better of me'
- Published
Kyrgios has a history of explosive incidents on the court
Nick Kyrgios admitted "emotions got the better of me" after forfeiting his second-round match with Norwegian Casper Ruud at the Italian Open.
The Australian, 24, was in the deciding set when he was given a game penalty, reportedly for swearing, to trail 2-1.
He then kicked a bottle, threw down his racquet, hurled a chair on the court, picked up his bag and walked off.
Kyrgios was fined 20,000 euros (£17,461) for unsportsmanlike conduct and also lost his prize money.
In addition to the prize money of £29,366, he forfeited the 45 ranking points gained during the tournament and was told to cover the costs of his hospitality.
Writing on Instagram, he said: "Very eventful day to say to the least. Emotions got the better of me and I just wanted to say that the atmosphere was crazy out there today, just super unfortunate that it had to end in a default.
"Sorry Roma, see you again, maybe."
Kyrgios has a history of fines for poor behaviour on court and in March clashed with a fan at the Miami Open.
Earlier this week he served underarm during victory over Daniil Medvedev, while his actions on Thursday came as it emerged he told a podcast interview that he "could not stand" Novak Djokovic - who he described as "cringeworthy" - and called Rafael Nadal "super salty".
In the 50-minute interview, Kyrgios, who last year said he was talking to psychologists to address mental health issues, was asked about his opinion on a number of tennis stars.
After branding Roger Federer the "greatest of all time", he went in on Nadal, calling the Spaniard his "polar opposite".
But he had nicer things to say about Britain's Andy Murray, currently out of the game following hip surgery.
"It sucks not seeing him around here, in the locker room he was the best," he said.
'He deserves a ban' - what the players said
Norwegian Ruud said he thought Kyrgios had "got what he deserved," when asked about the mater later.
However, he believes the ATP, which governs men's tennis, should now take action.
"He thinks he can do what he likes," Ruud added.
"He was getting more and more angry. There's been a lot of talk about it with other players.
"I think there should be some hard punishment, there's been some other stuff as well. He should be suspended for at least six months."
But 20-time Grand Slam winner Federer, did not think a suspension was warranted: "He walked off the court. What did he do? He hurt a chair? I mean, that's not enough for me.
"A zero pointer, fine, all this stuff is already tough enough. He knows it's a mistake what happened."
Kyrgios has a history of explosive incidents on the court
Kyrgios' past controversies
In 2015, having already been fined for an "insulting remark" to opponent Stan Wawrinka, Kyrgios was given a suspended 28-day ban and £16,200 fine for making lewd remarks about the Swiss player's girlfriend.
The following year he was banned for eight tournament weeks and fined £20,560 for his behaviour - including "lack of best efforts" at the Shanghai Masters. During the match in question against Mischa Zverev, Kyrgios also argued with a fan and received a code violation for swearing, after which he was fined for breaching the ATP code of conduct.
In the same tournament the next year, having earlier received a warning for smashing two balls out of court in frustration, he stormed off midway through his first-round match against Steve Johnson. He was later fined for unsportsmanlike conduct.
The Shanghai Masters was again the venue last year when he was involved in a prolonged argument with French umpire Damien Dumusois during his first-round exit.
Analysis
BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller
The Australian will be one of the most talked-about people at Roland Garros when the French Open gets under way in 10 days' time. But not because he is thought to have a chance of winning.
Kyrgios is an entertainer, both with a racquet in his hand and when airing his unfiltered views on a podcast, but regularly laments his lack of conditioning.
He is happy to admit he plays too much basketball.
And he knows a coach would probably be a very good idea, but prefers the freedom of only having to answer to himself.