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Nick Kyrgios snaps at reporter's 'depressing' question at Aus Open

Nick Kyrgios, pictured here snapping at a reporter's question in his Australian Open press conference.
Nick Kyrgios snapped at a reporter's question in his Australian Open press conference. Image: Australian Open

Nick Kyrgios is officially fed up with questions about the Australian Open crowd.

Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis set up an all-Australian men's doubles final at Melbourne Park on Thursday as their giant-killing run continued.

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The 'Special Ks' were promoted to Rod Laver Arena for their semi-final on Thursday, and the home hopes certainly did not disappoint on centre stage.

Kyrgios and Kokkinakis outlasted third seeds Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 in an hour and 47 minutes to storm into the most improbable of finals.

Saturday's doubles final will feature four Australian men for the first time since 1980 after Matt Ebden and Max Purcell took down second seeds Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury 6-3 7-6 (11-9) in their semi-final.

But for all the excitement about the all-Australian final, Kyrgios was irked by a 'depressing' line of questioning in his post-match press conference.

When asked by a reporter how he expected the home crowd to react when he and Kokkinakis face Ebden and Purcell, Kyrgios replied: “You answer that question, how do you think it’s going to go?”

The reporter suggested fans might get behind the 'Special Ks' more then Ebden and Purcell, to which Kokkikankis responded: “Hopefully. Wouldn’t be against the idea.

“At the end of the day they can support who they want to support, but hopefully they’re for us.

"We couldn’t ask for anything more as far as the crowd support so far.

“There were a few (fans) in their match, there were a lot in our match, and hopefully that tells the story.”

Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis, pictured here in action in their Australian Open doubles semi-final.
Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis in action in their Australian Open doubles semi-final. (Photo by Andy Cheung/Getty Images) (Andy Cheung via Getty Images)

Nick Kyrgios snaps at 'depressing' questions

A second journalist then asked Kyrgios if he thought there might be a different group of fans at Rod Laver Arena on Saturday night given tickets are $499, compared to just $29 for the semi-finals.

Tickets are more expensive because the men's doubles final will be played after Ash Barty's clash with Danielle Collins in the women's singles final.

“These questions are so depressing,” Kyrgios snapped back.

“Like, we’ve got four Aussies in the final. Can we stop dividing, which crowd’s going for who.

"It’s just amazing we’ve got four Aussies in the final, Ash (Barty) is doing her thing, Dylan (Alcott)’s last Australian Open, can we up the energy a little bit?

"It’s f***ing awesome. Can we have some hype questions? I’d rather just walk out, I dunno.”

Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell, pictured here celebrating after advancing to the Australian Open doubles final.
Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell celebrate after advancing to the Australian Open doubles final. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images) (Mark Metcalfe via Getty Images)

Kokkinakis suggested cheaper tickets should be available for fans who just want to watch the doubles.

“Hopefully we can get as many people in the stadium as possible," he said.

"Craig (Tiley) might not be happy with this, but if that means dropping a couple of prices so we can fill the stands, whatever can get it packed or whatever he’s allowed - the more the better, the atmosphere will be unreal.

“That’s honestly what we’ve been playing for all week. The wins are a bonus. But to see kind of the traction it’s gotten and the energy it’s gotten, and how much everyone is supporting, that’s what we thrive off of.

"So hopefully we can have that.”

Kyrgios added: “The people are just getting out and about, following Australian athletes.”

with AAP

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