Nick Kyrgios exposes vile messages amid latest tennis 'disgrace'
Nick Kyrgios has called out a number of social media users after revealing some of the vile messages he received in the wake of his latest tennis controversy.
The Aussie star was labelled a "disgrace" by some tennis fans after yet another meltdown in last week's semi-final defeat to Reilly Opelka in the US Men’s Clay Court Championship in Houston.
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Kyrgios had already been fined a total of $US60,000 ($A80,000) after losing in Indian Wells and Miami recently and could face even more penalties after blowing a gasket in Houston.
Once again, the 26-year-old engaged in an expletive-laden exchange with a chair umpire, berating the official over a call that the umpire later admitted he got wrong.
The incident led to renewed calls for the governing body in men's tennis - the ATP - to crack down harder on the repeat offender and issue him with a ban.
However, Kyrgios has revealed a much more alarming extent of the backlash against him, by pointing out some of the vile messages sent to him by trolls on social media.
One message read: “You are f***ing dead watch your back.”
Another user wrote: “F*** you you piece of s**t. Quit tennis.”
Kyrgios' latest meltdown in the United States came after a contentious call by chair umpire Joshua Brace in the Aussie's Houston semi-final against Opelka.
With the score at 5-5 in the second set, Brace didn’t call an Opelka return long and Kyrgios asked: “What do you mean, you don’t know from there? Where are you supposed to see it from? It was out, bro!
“He wins that point when the ball was out. What are you guys actually doing out here?”
Brace then replied: “If it was out, then I did miss it. ”
And Kyrgios answered: “Well, congratulations.”
Warning: The following clip contains offensive language
Another meltdown from Nick Kyrgios at an umpire. It’s getting ridiculous. The ATP has let this go on for far too long. It’s not just Kyrgios and there’s always been scenes like this but they’re so common now, it’s a blight on the sport. #Tennis #ATPpic.twitter.com/SD0se9o4zA
— Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottlieb) April 9, 2022
Nick Kyrgios doubles down on umpire criticism
After losing the next point, the Australian shouted “f***!” and was docked a point and lost the game.
That's when things took an even more dramatic turn and Kyrgios unravelled further.
“It was f***ing out of bounds on clay, how are you not calling it?” he screamed.
“It’s up to you guys to make that call. I can’t stop mid-point!”
Brace then admitted his mistake and said: “I believe you now, I made a mistake.”
Kyrgios replied: “Do you think it was a costly mistake?”
Haha again… falls all on me. Umpires seem to make these mistakes a little too often. A lot of players seemed dissatisfied with the performance of them this week in Houston. More punishment? Potentially new umpires? Semi final, ‘I missed it nick’ on clay 5-5 in the second set 😂 https://t.co/twdrC5Npwv
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) April 9, 2022
In true Kyrgios fashion, the Aussie took to social media after the match to continue his tirade.
“Haha again… falls all on me. Umpires seem to make these mistakes a little too often,” he wrote.
“A lot of players seemed dissatisfied with the performance of them this week in Houston. More punishment? Potentially new umpires? Semi final, ‘I missed it nick’ on clay 5-5 in the second set," Kyrgios added alongside a laughing emoji.
with agencies
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