Nick Kyrgios could face a heavy fine after apparently refusing to try in protest at receiving a code violation for swearing during his fourth round defeat to Richard Gasquet. The Australian, who has divided opinion with his on court antics but often delighted crowds during the first week, was warned by umpire James Keothavong for an “audible obscenity” early in the second set.
In the following game, which Gasquet won to take a 3-0 lead, Kyrgios appeared entirely uninterested, tapping his returns back into the net while pointing at the umpire.
He denied he had stopped trying during the game in question, deflecting the question, but pointed instead to his subsequent resurgence to claw his way back into the match.
“I mean, today, there was a lot of ups and downs. Obviously, you know, it was a tough, tough time, especially when he’s not missing any balls,” he said.
“I’m getting frustrated myself. I feel as if I’m not playing not how I should be playing. I’m angry at myself.”
International Tennis Federation rules state: “A player shall use his best efforts to win a match when competing in a grand slam tournament. Violation of this section shall subject a player to a fine up to $20,000 [£12,860] for each violation.”
An ITF spokeswoman confirmed that even though Kyrgios, who lost to Gasquet in four sets, was not warned by the umpire for lack of effort action could still be taken against him retrospectively once the video had been reviewed.
“I don’t think I was treated unfairly,” said Kyrgios, who split with his coach Todd Larkham the week before the Championships. “If they decide to fine me they can fine me.”
Even in defeat, the 20-year-old was the talk of the All England Club during a match in which he also complained about “external bullshit” and got into a lengthy exchange about the amount of time it took to change his socks after the umpire urged him to hurry up at a change of ends.
“You know, I’m not perfect out there. I’m going to have ups and downs,” he said. “It’s the way you respond from that. I think it takes some serious balls to respond the way I did.”
At other points, he loudly admonished himself for his serving or kept up a running dialogue with the crowd and his entourage.
He refused to elaborate on his external issues, saying they were personal. “There’s a lot of things going on at the moment that aren’t focusing on actual tennis. There’s just a lot of stuff going on,” he said.
Of an episode where he hugged a ballboy, he joked: “I just felt like a hug, I guess. Everyone now and then wants a hug.”
Gasquet, who exorcised the demons of last year when he lost to Kyrgios in five sets and forfeited nine match points, said his opponent was “a very nice guy” but “was a little bit angry, a little bit frustrated” during the contentious episode in the second set.
The French player went on to win the set 6-1 as Kyrgios threatened to fold completely. But he rallied in the following set only to lose the fourth on a tie-break.
The Australian’s on court demeanor has attracted praise and opprobrium in equal measure, split between those who think the game needs more characters and those who find his behaviour unbecoming.
During his first round match he received a code violation after refusing to play on following a disputed line call and was also picked up by a microphone muttering “dirty scum” - a comment he insisted was aimed at himself and not the umpire.
During his second round victory over seventh seed Milos Raonic he was warned for bouncing his racket into the ground and failing to control it as it flew into the stands.
“It is true, he likes the show, of course. Everybody can see that. But I still think it’s good to have some players like that on the circuit,” said Gasquet afterwards.
“Sometimes people are talking because the players are boring or something. Now we have someone who is doing different things.”
Following his defeat, a smiling Kyrgios later headed out to play mixed doubles with his partner Madison Keys as though he hadn’t a care in the world. They eventually lost in three sets, with far less controversy, to Lukasz Kubot and Andrea Hlavackova.
Kyrgios said it was the best part of his day. He also supported his teammate Bernard Tomic, who has been dropped from the Davis Cup team after accusing the Australian Tennis Federation of abandoning him following injury.
