Kyrgios may have met his match in new Baron Cohen character

Bad boy of tennis Nick Kyrgios is known for his fiery on-court antics and in this new TV ad he cops a cheeky serve from comedian Sacha Baron Cohen.

Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios says he grew up learning to respect umpires and authority figures.

However, the hot-headed ace, known for the occasional on-court meltdown, including an incident at an ATP match last week, met his match while working with Borat superstar Sacha Baron Cohen for an Australian Open-themed TV promotion.

Cohen has created an Australian character — a tyrant called The Rogue Umpire — who served up a grand slam of insults for tennis ace Nick Kyrgios.

Baron Cohen, whose world-famous alter egos Borat Sagdiyev, Bruno Gehard, and Ali G, created The Rogue Umpire character for an Uber Eats TV campaign to be aired during the Australian Open.

Sacha Baron Cohen as his new character, an Australian called "The Rogue Umpire."

Baron Cohen and Kyrios filmed the campaign at Kooyong Stadium last month

“I’ve been a massive fan of Sacha from his Ali G days all the way through to now,” Kyrgios told the Herald Sun.

“I have pure respect for him and went on set knowing he was hilarious, but I was still surprised by how sharp he was with his freestyle comedy.

“Being Australian we’re taught to listen and appreciate the hard work of officials from a very young age,” Kyrgios said.

“Sacha’s Aussie accent and rogue antics really

threw me off my game.”

“I found it impossible to take him seriously as an official, especially with some of the outlandish jokes he was landing.

“There were times when he was delivering his lines, and directing me at the same time; it was hard to keep up because I was cracking up.

“We also got a rally in between takes,” Kyrgios said. “I don’t think he’d mind me saying his backhand needs some work, but so does my improvisation, so we can call it even.”

Kyrgios said he’s “appreciative every day for the opportunities that come from being a professional tennis player,” including “freestyling with an Oscar winner.”

Baron Cohen, a British actor, writer, producer and comedian, aced Kyrios with one-liners and outrageous calls during the late night shoot.

Nick Kyrgios throws a tanty during his Murray River Open - ATP 250 match against Borna Coric. Picture: AAP Image/Dave Hunt.

He penalised Kyrgios for a long list of fictional violations, including stating the obvious, unnecessary sweat, unfair use of antiperspirants, inappropriate used of the word mate, overbouncing the ball, insufficient grunting, hairstyle and eye-rolling.

At one point, The Rogue Umpire slammed Kyrgios for a “visible panty line violation,” while warning the tennis star: “This is not the Melbourne Cup.”

He also criticised Kyrgios’ on-court fashion, noting: “You’re dressed for a footy match.”

When Kyrgios argued, “Do you even know the rules,” The Rogue Umpire replied: “I am the rules. I am the umpire.”

Baron Cohen wrote and directed the campaign, and said The Rogue Umpire character was from Victoria. He wore a wig and body suit for the part.

It is believed The Rogue Umpire also shot an Uber Eats campaign with Ash Barty.

Baron Cohen, who is married to Australian actor Isla Fisher, moved to Sydney late last year.

They have three children.

Baron Cohen and wife Isla Fisher have moved to Australia. Picture: Instagram.

Last December, he praised Australian officials’ handling of the COVID-19 crisis.

“This is one of the few countries in the world that really, the politicians stepped aside … and said, ‘OK, let’s let the scientists run this show.’”

He also teased that he was working on an Aussie character, but joked: “There’s no comedy, here, mate!”