Federer speaks out after Kyrgios's latest antics

Roger Federer has addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding Nick Kyrgios after the young Aussie again drew the ire of fans on Wednesday.

The mercurial Australian spent much of his opening match at the US Open complaining of fatigue before pulling through 7-5 2-6 6-4 6-2 against Moldovan baseliner Radu Albot.

After a scorching day in which temperatures nudged towards 40C at Flushing Meadows, humidity levels were still extreme even when Kyrgios hit the court for the night session on Louis Armstrong Stadium.

FURIOUS: Aussie star blasts officials after US Open victory

SAY WHAT? Nadal offers controversial take on Serena’s catsuit ban

“I’m f***ed, my legs are f***ed. I’m cooked, I’m f***ing done. I can’t play,” Kyrgios moaned to his courtside box during the second set.

After winning the opening set against Albot, recovering from a service break down, Kyrgios collapsed in the second, constantly muttering to his players’ box during changeovers.

He also tried a number of fancy ‘tweeners’ and big shots early in rallies.

He later said such antics “keep me relaxed”.

But, after a series of mid-match retirements over the past two years, the writing looked on the wall when Kyrgios allowed Albot back on level terms and then handed the world No.95 another break-point opportunity early in the third.

Should he cool off and beat Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert next, Kyrgios will likely run into five-times champion Federer in the third round.

The Swiss Maestro was asked about Kyrgios’s antics following his own first round victory.

“I think he finds it hard to not do any of those tricks,” Federer said on ESPN.

“Like myself, to some extent, we need the fun, we need the drop shot, we need some variation to everything, but he takes it to the next level.

“I get it, but it’s hard for him. At one point, you’d think that it has to slow down a little bit.

“Usually it happens after your teenage years are over, but it’s been a few years and it seems like it’s getting more and more extreme, which is quite interesting.”

Federer, himself a volatile player as a youngster, said it probably wasn’t up to him to have a word to Kyrgios.

“I’m not sure if I’m the guy who’s supposed to pull him to the side,” Federer said.

“I think he very well knows, deep inside of himself, what he also needs to do.”

with AAP