'Booing for no reason': Tennis greats go in to bat for Kyrgios
Nick Kyrgios has gone down to Roger Federer in a thrilling three-set Miami Open semi-final in which the crowd was criticised for their treatment of the Aussie.
No.4 seed Federer defeated Kyrgios 7-6 (11-9) 6-7 (9-11) 7-6 (7-5) to progress to another final against Spanish rival and No.5 seed Rafael Nadal.
ALL CLASS: Federer hits back at Kyrgios critics
The controversy came early and the pro-Federer crowd remained on Kyrgios's back throughout the match.
Kyrgios remonstrates with the crowd. Image: Getty
The 21-year-old threw a racquet at his chair after losing the first set, though he did not receive a warning from the umpire.
Kyrgios walks to his bouncing racquets. Pic: Getty
The crowd booed Kyrgios heavily at that point, leading tennis greats Boris Becker, Chris Evert and Brad Gilbert to tweet in his defence.
We should embrace @NickKyrgios for bringing #energy #quality#youthfulness #spirit into #tennis ...#miamiopen2017
— Boris Becker (@TheBorisBecker) April 1, 2017
Ok @MiamiOpen crowd, give @NickKyrgios a break... I'm hearing lots of boos for no reason...
— Chris Evert (@ChrissieEvert) April 1, 2017
I felt bad that so few people rooted for Cheerios Kyrgios he gave everything he had out there tonight vs Fedfan
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) April 1, 2017
Kyrgios had broken Federer's serve midway through the first set before the 18-time major winner pulled him back for a tiebreak.
Neither player could make their move until Federer struck, with the crowd roaring for the veteran and turning on Kyrgios.
Television cameras appeared to show Federer's wife Mirka joining in on the jeering.
Many fans and experts took to social media to condemn the crowd:
Kyrgios will have to deal with booing (and yes he's brought some of it on himself) But that was poor from Miami crowd. They saw a great show
— Nathan Templeton (@nathantemp7) April 1, 2017
@hbryant42 Well, it IS Florida, Howard.
Agree Miami crowd lost perspective of a more mature (still growing) Kyrgios and an epic, FAB match.— Charlie (@charolyn_) April 1, 2017
If @NickKyrgios wants motivation for the #DavisCup round against the US just remember the ignorant Miami crowd and stick it up 'em! #Kyrgios
— Paul Walsh (@sportpaul) April 1, 2017
Even the most intense Fed fans on my timeline are disgusted by the Miami crowd
— Nick Nemeroff (@NNemeroff) April 1, 2017
That match was the best match of the year by 50 miles. Miami crowd the worst crowd of the year by 50 miles.
— Nick Nemeroff (@NNemeroff) April 1, 2017
I'm sorry, in the Kyrgios v Federer match, the Miami crowd has been absolutely atrocious, despicable even. Not done! 🙄 #MiamiOpen
— Virat Nehru (@6thrat) April 1, 2017
A great match but the Miami crowd did not deserve to witness it, intent to interrupt points on purpose has made them a disgrace #MiamiOpen
— Chris Stevens (@TheLadfromAus) April 1, 2017
The passionate Kyrgios continued to match Federer throughout the second set, eventually saving two match points in the tiebreak before winning it 11-9.
The third set remained tight as the serve remained crucial - Kyrgios managed a significant hold late - all the way through to a third tiebreak.
As he did against Alexander Zverev in the quarter-final, Kyrgios pushed the boundaries on his serve by averaging almost 25 seconds between points while Federer remained under 10 seconds.
Kyrgios, serving in the tiebreak at 5-4, fumed at the crowd when he was disrupted by an 'out' call from the stands and lost the point.
He then served a double fault on the next point, handing Federer a match point that he duly took after three hours and 11 minutes on court.
"I showed a lot of fight," Kyrgios said.
"Obviously I'm an emotional guy. I had some ups and downs, a bit of a roller coaster.
"Ultimately I thought I put in a good performance. I thought the crowd would have enjoyed it."
Earlier, Nadal defeated the unseeded Fabio Fognini in a routine 6-1 7-5 victory to secure his place in the final.
The Spaniard has previously reached the final at Miami four times without lifting the trophy.