Roger Federer launches stunning defence of chair-throwing Nick Kyrgios

Roger Federer says Nick Kyrgios does not deserve to be suspended after an extraordinary meltdown saw him disqualified from the Italian Open.

Just hours after an explosive interview with the No Challenges Remaining podcast, where he ripped into Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Fernando Verdasco, the Aussie Kyrgios was kicked out of his second-round clash with Casper Ruud after hurling a chair onto the court.

Ruud later slammed Kyrgios, saying many players on the tour want him banned.

“I think he got what he deserved,” said Ruud of Kyrgios, who will lose $33,635 in prize money from the tournament in addition to 45 ATP points.

“He thinks he can do what he likes.

“It doesn’t seem like anything makes him change these days.

“The ATP should do something. … I’m not the only one who thinks he should be suspended for at least half a year.”

However Federer disagrees, saying the fine, loss of prize money and loss of ATP points is sufficient enough.

“I don’t think he should be suspended,” Federer said in his post-match press conference.

“He walked off the court. What did he do? He hurt a chair? That’s not enough for me.

“I don’t know if he’s on probation or not from his Shanghai thing. If that’s the case, then obviously you can maybe look into it.

“If that’s run its course, I don’t think he should be suspended.”

‘F***ing done’

Ruud was leading 6-3 6-7 (7-5) 2-1 at the time and Kyrgios, frustrated at losing a point on serve, received a warning for ball abuse.

He then took exception to some movement in the stands during a rally and made his feelings known to the crowd and was docked a point for unsportsmanlike conduct and then penalised the game for the same offence.

Furious at the decision, Kyrgios booted a water bottle and then stunned spectators by picking up a fold-up wooden chair and hurling it across the court.

“I’m f***ing done,” he could be heard saying.

The tournament referee then came out onto court and defaulted the Aussie, who picked up his bag and stormed off, although he did shake hands with Ruud and the chair umpire.

“Very eventful day to say the least,” Kyrgios wrote on Instagram later.

“Emotions got the better of me and I just wanted to say that the atmosphere was crazy out there today, just super unfortunate that it had to end in a default. Sorry Roma, see you again, maybe.”

The match was subsequently awarded to the world No.76, who’ll now face Juan Martin del Potro for a place in the quarter-finals.

Ugly trend

Serial offender Kyrgios, who has a history of bad behaviour, was suspended by the ATP Tour in 2016 for tanking in a match against Mischa Zverev and insulting fans during a loss at the Shanghai Masters.

In 2015, Kyrgios insulted Stan Wawrinka with crude remarks during a match in Montreal.

He was fined $US12,500 and given a suspended 28-day ban.

He also attracted criticism for deciding not to play at the 2016 Olympics because of a spat with chef de mission Kitty Chiller.