Spooky connection between infamous John McEnroe and Nick Kyrgios moments
An unlikely link has been forged between John McEnroe's infamous default from the 1990 Australian Open and Nick Kyrgios's disqualification from the Italian Open on Thursday.
In a fit of rage, Kyrgios threw a chair across the court, unleashed a foul-mouthed spray and stormed off to conclude his match against Norwegian Casper Ruud.
His astonishing outburst came in the second-round tie against 76th-ranked qualifier Ruud, who had won the first set 6-3.
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Kyrgios won the second set 7-6 (7-5) to level but was furious after sending a forehand wide to hand a break back to Ruud early in the third set.
The 24-year-old turned and berated the crowd for walking during the point before slamming his racquet to the floor amid a string of swear words.
Kyrgios told a spectator: "You're not supposed to walk across the court as I'm serving, do you understand that?"
He then received a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct and a game penalty, with the umpire calling the tournament referee courtside.
"I'm giving 100 per cent. I don't want to play when this s*** is going on," Kyrgios was heard saying.
He then kicked a water bottle, before throwing a chair across court, packing his bag, shouting "I am f***ing done".
While footage appeared to show Kyrgios walking off without officially being defaulted, the Australian had in fact been told by the tournament referee Gerry Armstrong to leave the court.
The official knew the process well – he was the chair umpire who defaulted McEnroe from his fourth-round match with Mikael Pernfors nearly 30 years ago.
"Code violation, verbal abuse. Default, Mr McEnroe. Game, set, match Pernfors," Armstrong said in Melbourne that day.
McEnroe had previously received a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct after intimidating a lineswoman.
A second code violation, and a point penalty, was handed down for smashing a racquet.
Armstrong acted again, defaulting the American, after McEnroe swore at him and the tournament referee.
'Most obvious decision'
Former tennis umpire Richard Ings, an Australian, said Rome was infamous for its distractions.
"Those outside courts are noisy with lots of uncontrollable movement," he wrote on Twitter.
"I did a match there where someone through a panini on the court mid-rally. Players know Rome is tough. It’s no excuse to abuse spectators and hurl a chair."
Ings added that Armstrong – "a giant of tennis officiating" – had the experience to know exactly how to handle Kyrgios.
"The Kyrgios default in Rome is the most obvious decision he will ever make," he said.
Kyrgios, never far from controversy, had made headlines earlier in the day after criticising rivals including top stars Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.
"Very eventful day to say to the least," Kyrgios wrote on Instagram after the default.
"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."
His troubles worsened when he was fined €20,000 (AU$32,500) and made to forfeit his tournament prize money (€33,365 or AU$54,500) and 45 ranking points.
with agencies