Kyrgios blasts 'horrendous umpiring' in deleted Instagram story
Nick Kyrgios has slammed the umpiring during his Cincinnati Open loss to Juan Martin del Potro in a since-deleted Instagram story.
Kyrgios had a number of run ins with the officials during his 7-6(4) 6-7(6) 6-2 loss to the fourth seed, most notably when he told Egyptian umpire Adel Nour to “shut up” when he asked the Aussie if he was “OK” after tanking a game.
Kyrgios tanking a full game on return. Nour: "Nick, are you OK?" Kyrgios: "Shut up"
— enrico maria riva (@enricomariariva) August 17, 2018
Kyrgios also called another of Nour’s decisions “absolute bulls***” before declaring his poor calls were affecting the outcome of the match.
Kyrgios to Nour: "Do you realize you are costing hundred of thousands of dollars with your calls? We don't play for free"
— enrico maria riva (@enricomariariva) August 17, 2018
“Do you realise you are costing people hundreds of thousands of dollars on stupid calls like this? We don’t play for free,” Kyrgios said.
The Canberran also had a go at a line judge after a late call on a deep Del Potro shot.
"What are you doing, bro?", asks Kyrgios as the line umpire gave him a late call on a very long Delpo's shot.
He saves a BP and holds for 5-4.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) August 17, 2018
In a deleted Instagram story post following his loss in the round of 16, Kyrgios had another crack.
“Two point penalties. Horrendous umpiring. Crazy toilet breaks,” Kyrgios’ post read.
The Aussie number one was furious that his opponent was allowed a long toilet break after losing the second set, a thought backed up by his mum on Twitter.
Something as ordinary as a toilet break is a debatable topic at this level of tennis. Does the player really need to go, or is it a ruse to buy time, clear the mind and alter momentum? Coincidentally, it’s usually when someone loses a set.
— Norlaila Kyrgios (@NorlailaKyrgios) August 17, 2018
It wasn’t all anger and tantrums however, as the pair shared a brilliant moment midway through the second set.
Fourth seed Del Potro imitated Kyrgios with a ‘tweener shot which left the crowd, commentators and Kyrgios himself laughing. (Watch in the video at the top of the page)
Del Potro will now play Belgian David Goffin in the quarter-finals.
Goffin did not face a break point in defeating sixth seed Kevin Anderson of South Africa 6-2 6-4 in 76 minutes.
Novak Djokovic returned to the court after rain halted play on Thursday with a break lead in the third set and completed the win.
He will take on Canadian Milos Raonic in the quarter-finals, also on Friday.
Former Cincinnati champion Marin Cilic survived a rain-delayed three-setter, the Croatian battling past Toronto semi-finalist Karen Khachanov 7-6 (7-5) 3-6 6-4.
With AAP
