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'Losing his mind': Nick Kyrgios throws most bizarre tantrum yet

sam goodwin
Sports Editor

Angry Nick is back.

Just two days after a focused and calm Nick Kyrgios stormed to his sixth-career title by winning the Washington Open, the controversial Aussie has engaged in a bizarre blow-up at an umpire over a towel.

In action at the Canadian Open against Kyle Edmund on Tuesday, Kyrgios was incensed when he didn’t have a white towel courtside for the start of the match.

BRUTAL: Ash Barty's shock first-round loss puts No.1 ranking in jeopardy

After asking the umpire to arrange one, Kyrgios blew up when the official told him he couldn’t.

“I’m not allowed to leave the chair,” the umpire told Kyrgios, who responded: “But you have a radio, I asked you at the start of the match.”

Nick Kyrgios was fuming that he didn't have his towel for five games. Image: Tennis TV
Nick Kyrgios was fuming that he didn't have his towel. Image: Tennis TV

“How does it take you five games to get a white towel?”

The umpire then hit Kyrgios with a code violation for an audible obscenity.

While the exchange was taking place a ballboy delivered the towel Kyrgios was seeking.

“The towels were there Nick,” one commentator said.

“We love to watch the train crash … certainly not the way you want your sport represented.”

Nick Kyrgios was raging at the umpire over a towel of all things. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Nick Kyrgios was raging at the umpire. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)

With his mind clearly elsewhere, Kyrgios dropped the first set 6-3, before losing the match 6-4 in the second after a 45-minute rain delay.

Fans and tennis journos couldn’t believe the Aussie would be thrown by such a trivial issue.

Horror day for Aussies

Earlier, Ashleigh Barty was knocked out of the Canadian Open's first round by home hope Sofia Kenin, leaving her World No.1 ranking hanging by a thread.

The Australian fell to the American 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 6-4 in Toronto on Tuesday in her first match since Wimbledon.

It was a rough day for Australia after compatriot Ajla Tomljanovic also had to retire from the opening round.

Tomljanovic was trailing Polish ace Iga Swiatek 4-1 in the first set of their match when she pulled the plug.

On the men’s side, Alex de Minaur and Jordan Thompson also fell at the first hurdle.

Ashleigh Barty suffered a shock loss in the first round. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
Ashleigh Barty suffered a shock loss. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)

De Minaur couldn't get past Dan Evans, who beat the Australian No.1 6-4 7-6 (8-6) in Montreal.

British No.2 saved seven of the eight break points he faced and converted both break chances on De Minaur's serve.

Meanwhile, Thompson was defeated by American John Isner 6-3 3-6 7-6 (8-6) in another tense match.

However it wasn’t all bad news with John Millman needing more than two-and-a-half hours to battle past Spanish veteran Feliciano Lopez 6-7 (7-4) 7-6 (7-2) 6-3.

The Australian will face Marin Cilic next after the Croatian 14th seed beat Bradley Klahn 6-3 7-6 (9-7).

Bernard Tomic also failed to make the second round after falling to Roberto Bautista Agut in the opening round on Monday.

Tomic knocked compatriot Marc Polmans out of the qualifiers.

with agencies