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'Oh my god': Nick Kyrgios loses it over reporter's bizarre banana question

Nick Kyrgios was at his volatile best in his post-match press conference after cruising into the second round of the Australian Open on Tuesday night.

Kyrgios was mostly measured in downing Italian Lorenzo Sonego 6-2 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-1).

But he lost it ever so slightly in his press conference over a reporter’s bizarre question.

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After the match Kyrgios took his time in cleaning up the area around his courtside bench, before giving all his towels away to fans.

However when he ran out of towels and spectators were still asking for souvenirs, Kyrgios decided to offer up a banana peel, with one lucky fan all-too willing to accept it.

But Kyrgios was left baffled when quizzed about it in his presser, with a reporter asking if he did that so the ball kids didn’t have to.

“You’ve got to do better than that, bro,” Kyrgios said in disbelief.

“Is that a serious question? Oh my god. Next question.”

The question appeared to be in reference to the furore surrounding a French player’s bizarre request to a ball girl to peel a banana for him on Sunday.

Jim Courier earlier said Kyrgios was conducting a “yard sale”.

“He’s doing some housekeeping. He’s cleaning up the bench before he gets over to have a chat to John McEnroe,” Courier said in commentary for Channel Nine.

Nick Kyrgios, pictured here in his post-match press conference at the Australian Open.
Nick Kyrgios wasn't impressed by the question. Image: Australian Open

“It’s a new Nick. Giving away a few souvenirs. He’s making his Laver Cup captain wait. He’s done that before. Looks like a yard sale out there.”

Kyrgios also shot back at another reporter when asked about the lights going out in Melbourne Arena during the second set.

“I won the match in straight sets. I wouldn’t say it was too much of a distraction,” Kyrgios said deadpan.

“The lights just dimmed. What sort of response do you want from me right now.”

Kyrgios cruises into second round

At 3-4 in the second set Melbourne Arena fell into darkness, forcing a short break, but the issue was resolved quickly enough and didn't appear to disturb the momentum of the match.

While not always playing lights out tennis, there were the typical Kyrgios flourishes in the victory.

In the third game of the third set he hit a tweener lob which scored him the point, trying two tweeners on the next one only to draw a blank.

The 23rd seed got a solid workout from the world No.53 but was never broken and eased to victory in two hours and 13 minutes.

Nick Kyrgios, pictured here celebrating after his win at the Australian Open.
Nick Kyrgios celebrates after his win at the Australian Open. (Photo by Chaz Niell/Getty Images)

Despite appearing at ease during the match, Kyrgios admitted being edgy as he took to the court, particularly given the focus on the Australian bushfires and his involvement in raising funds, saying he was playing "for a lot of people".

"Just with everything going on, walking out there, I was a lot more nervous than I have been in previous matches," he said.

"Australian Open, I usually feel pretty comfortable.

"The crowd was unbelievable. I got comfortable quite early in the match. I played an unbelievable first set, which helped. I thought the pressure kind of eased off after I won that first set (but) he didn't go away."

with AAP