Australian Open 2022: Nick Kyrgios was at his entertaining best in the second round loss to Daniil Medvedev – but will he ever be more?

Umpire outbursts. Victory laps. Jaw-dropping winners. The Nick Kyrgios Show is always a must-see. But another early Australian Open exit brings more serious questions.

When Nick Kyrgios lays down on the physiotherapy table to recover from his one night on Rod Laver Arena you wonder whether his voicebox will need a massage.

Kyrgios talked to himself between points and to the tennis ball during points, urging dour and disrespected opponent Daniil Medvedev’s wayward shots to land out.

RECAP ALL THE DAY FOUR AUS OPEN ACTION

Kyrgios snapped at one of his own supporters in the crowd and screamed at umpire Carlos Bernardes.

He congratulated an emotionless and unflappable Medvedev and gave his own special comments to courtside commentator Dylan Alcott.

And that was in the first set alone of his 7-6 (1) 6-4 4-6 6-2 defeat.

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One of Nick Kyrgios’ many emotions in his second round loss to Daniil Medvedev. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

And another. The Kyrgios show was in full swing. Picture: Michael Klein.

“Yep, well played bro,” Kyrgios directed at world No.2 Medvedev after the Russian held serve to force a tie-break.

“Please don’t call out while I’m f****** serving!” Kyrgios bellowed at a fan who had requested an underarm serve as Kyrgios started his ball toss.

A code violation followed, although Kyrgios had the same advice for another punter when Medvedev was serving in the third set.

“F*** bro – not before he’s serving. Come on,” Kyrgios said.

“It’s so annoying!”

But Kyrgios’s frustration was articulated best to Alcott.

“I’m hitting 5c pieces at 220kms an hour and they’re coming back with interest,” Alcott was informed by Nick, mid-match.

When Bernardes pinged Kyrgios for dawdling between points the umpire copped: “I don’t want to talk to you – you listen to me. All I did was walk to my towel”.

Kyrgios then grinned at the umpire with a sarcastic thumbs up and when he unlocked two break points with a reflex winner it was celebrated with a lap of honour … to his towel.

Kyrgios gave courtside commentator Dylan Alcott a mid-match update. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

By then the Cristiano Ronaldo “Siuuuu” chant – which has spread faster than Omicron through Melbourne Park crowds – was in full voice, which Medvedev took for boos directed his way.

Forget host broadcaster Channel Nine, Channel Nick was in full swing.

All Kyrgios needed to do was scream “Are you not entertained?” Russell Crowe-style from the Gladiator.

Neil Diamond’s ‘Sweet Caroline’ vibrated throughout Rod Laver Arena after Kyrgios claimed the third.

Was this a crowd of soccer hooligans or stuffy tennis fans who had forked out almost $300 for a seat?

Medvedev had seen – and heard – enough.

He walked off court for an outfit change, surely hoping a five-minute break would drain some of the pulsating energy that was feeding Kyrgios from the court.

Kyrgios is planning a post-slam party at dirty nightspot Revolver whereas most crowds at Rod Laver Arena are more in tune with the Portsea Polo.

Plenty were fashionably late, too, with most seats empty when Kyrgios opened and closed the opening service game by slamming down 192km and 213km aces.

So Kyrgios took it upon himself to play the role of director and superstar of his own show, actively asking the crowd to rise up as if they were on John Cain Arena.

It all added up for another box-office night as the sideshow once again became the main attraction.

Sadly for Nick, it was Medvedev who had final edit of the script.

When you pause and think about Nick Kyrgios purely the tennis player – not the entertainer – it’s hard not to feel teased.

Here is a bloke who drips with talent and was right there with the world No.2. Really, he had no right to be.

Medvedev is the hardest worker on the circuit. Kyrgios had coronavirus last week and is counting down the days until a Revs session.

Kyrgios commentated Ninja Warrior last year. Medvedev won the US Open, played the final at Melbourne Park and the quarter-finals at Roland Garros.

Daniil Medvedev was too good on Thursday night. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

But Kyrgios was at his entertaining best. Picture: William WEST/AFP

It begs the question: How much does Nick really care? And if he went all-in could the whole tour be his for the taking.

Novak Djokovic’s lack of injections could see him ejected from the game and Roger Federer is feeding updates on his dodgy knee to Kyrgios’s best mate, Thanasi Kokkinakis.

Fading force Andy Murray is already out of this year’s open while Rafael Nadal is 35 ... nine years older than Nick.

Kyrgios is ranked No.115 in the world after playing just 15 tournaments in the past two years.

Kyrgios spent most of his time tuning up for the Australian Open on the basketball court wearing NBA singlets.

Hours of shooting hoops each day might’ve helped his fitness. But it’s probably not in the pre-season textbook and it’s doubtful Daniil did it that way.

Big serves aside, more polarising these two players could not be. Kyrgios attacks with flair and fun whereas the ‘D’ in Daniil may as well stand for defence.

Medvedev made Kyrgios mad with his ability to absorb rockets and force extra shots.

His heart-rate looked unchanged throughout all four sets. Kyrgios’s blood pressure must’ve resembled a theme park rollercoaster.

‘Naughty Nick’ started his final game down 0-15 after another violation, this time for smashing a racquet.

All eyes locked on to loud-mouthed Kyrgios and few paid any attention to Medvedev. But the Russian is still alive and Canberra kid is out.

Next year will Nick Kyrgios’s tennis do more of his talking?

Originally published as Australian Open 2022: Nick Kyrgios was at his entertaining best in the second round loss to Daniil Medvedev – but will he ever be more?