US Open 2022: Nick Kyrgios spits, swears and calls out weed-smoking fan in victory
Spitting towards his team, swearing at the support crew and smelling “f***ing marijuana”, New York got the full Nick Kyrgios sideshow.But has his bone-headed berating crossed the line?
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Nick Kyrgios has declared he is “more professional than ever” as he heaps pressure on himself to achieve the grand slam title he knows his audacious talent can deliver.
Kyrgios played some sublime tennis in the 7-6 6-4 4-6 6-4 win at Flushing Meadows, something he credits to his professional preparation.
But it’s his boneheaded berating of those he claims to hold closest and the bewildering spitting, screeching specter he becomes on court that makes him a walking contradiction.
Kyrgios is the most unprofessional professional in the sport.
His preparation for the big moments may have improved but the distraction he must be for his opponents borders on unsportsmanlike.
Like most Kyrgios opponents over the past four months, Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi maintained his composure, knowing his own shot-making ability would not be the only thing at play against Kyrgios and he was likely to be aided at some point by the Aussie’s roller-coaster of emotion.
Spitting towards his team, swearing at the support crew in his box, smelling “f***ing marijuana”, Bonzi got to experience the full Kyrgios sideshow.
Sure, it’s entertaining but when does it cross the line?
The Wimbledon finalist opened up about how losing his maiden grand slam final had stoked his competitive fires but increased the pressure he puts on himself to achieve his goals.
“Every day I come in, I watch what I eat, I try and get sleep …every practice session I try and have good intent,” Kyrgios said in his post-match press conference.
“I almost don’t know who I am anymore, to be honest, because that’s not me.
“(I’m) trying to balance so many different things out (there) … it’s just a lot.
“I feel like I’m really professional right now.
“I never thought that the Wimbledon final would make me that way. I thought it would be the other way, the reverse, almost a bit lax and a bit chilled with it.
“It’s stressful.”
The manifestation of that stress though brings out the ugly Kyrgios.
And he was in full flight at Flushing Meadows.
Sure, as an asthmatic - as he pointed out post-match - Kyrgios is affected by any sort of smoke in the atmosphere; yes, he is under the microscope as fans and commentators alike realise his incredible potential and sure, he can be forgiven the occasional slip while attempting to bring out his best.
But like a reality TV contestant who’s forgotten their microphone is always turned on, Kyrgios’s ugly side is on full display and even his articulate and generous post-match musings can’t disguise it.
The endless obscenities and put downs towards his box have been broadcast for all to see and hear before he sends spurious thanks their way post match.
It’s getting embarrassing and former Aussie tennis great Todd Woodbridge is among those believing it’s time those in the firing line took some action.
“We all know that it is a waste of time being like that. At some point, the people who are sitting in his players box need to take some action,” he said in commentary.
“That action should probably be standing up and walking out. They’ve got nothing to do with what goes on, on the court. That is up to Nick.”
For now though, the sideshow rolls on with Kyrgios into the third round in New York.
He asked in his press conference how anyone could live in the city that never sleeps.
Sideshow alley is a place that suits him completely.
KYRGIOS 7-6 6-4 4-6 6-4
After looking like we could be five minutes away from a fifth set, Nick Kyrgios has managed to re-group as he tries to avoid a second round marathon.
The Aussie halted his constant abuse towards his own box long enough to secure a break back in the fourth and is now only two games away from taking the match.
After a reasonably calm opening round, it has been the full Kyrgios experience today, with all the emotions on display.
KYRGIOS 7-6 6-4 4-6 1-2*
The wheels are falling off for Nick Kyrgios, who has continued to hurl abuse at his own team here in New York.
After receiving a code violation for offensive language directed at his own team, Kyrgios went back for round two after dropping serve early in the fourth set.
“Good job. 4-3 in the third, you’re just chilling, doing nothing,” he was heard saying.
Former Australian great Todd Woodbridge said it was time for those in Nick’s box to take some action.
“That was during the change over from Nick,” he said in commentary.
“We all know that it is a waste of time being like that. At some point the people who are sitting in his players box need to take some action.
“That action should probably be standing up and walking out. They’ve got nothing to do with what goes on on the court. That is up to Nick.”
KYRGIOS 7-6 6-4 4-6
High drama to end the second set, with Nick Kyrgios showing the first signs of a meltdown.
After cruising on serve through the opening half of the set, Kyrgios gave up a break from seemingly nowhere – and was far from impressed.
After giving up his serve, he was shown on the TV cameras spitting and then was hit with a code violation for abuse.
It appears the abuse was directed at his own player box.
KYRGIOS 7-6 6-4 3-2*
Nick Kyrgios is closing in on an impressive straight sets win at the US Open.
The big serving Australian is just three games away from winning his second round clash in straight sets.
Prior to the match, Kyrgios spoke about how mentally drained he was after spending months away from home.
The Aussie will head back to Australia as soon as his US Open campaign is over.
Spending as little time as possible on court will be a huge boost to the Aussie’s hopes of going deep in New York.
KYRGIOS 7-6, 6-4 BONZI
A fired up Nick Kyrgios has charged to a two-set lead over Benjamin Bonzi.
While it looked like the second set was destined for a tie-break, Kyrgios collected the all-important break in the 10th game to take the set 6-4.
The Aussie was too strong in the toughest moments, putting aside some small signs of frustration to strike just when he needed it.
All the pressure is now on Bonzi, with the Frenchman facing a massive challenge just to get back into the match.
Kudos to Bonzi who is not engaging with these tantrums and outburst whatsoever. Echoing what Woodbridge said in the last set, when players don’t engage with Nick’s emotions he loses one of his biggest weapons; the art of distraction.
Some big names have been distracted enough by Nick’s antics that they totally lose focus on the actual match at hand, not Bonzi.
Sure he’s behind but he is playing good tennis.
NK takes the second set - head a little stronger but he’s doing it all his way - as he likes to.
TENNIS HAS NICK FIGURED OUT
The tennis locker room has Nick Kyrgios all figured out, according to an Aussie great who suggests he might need more depth to his on court strategy.
Playing for a spot in the US Open third round, Kyrgios is up against Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi and while he was subdued and somewhat sedate in his opener against Thanasi Kokkinakis, the Aussie was fired up early in the first set.
A few f-bombs directed at his player’s box paired with growing frustration over his below par first serve, Kyrgios was playing right into what Todd Woodbridge claims the men’s lock room has come to know hope for when playing him.
“He’s angry with himself and he’s dropped a loose service game, he gave that one away,” Woodbridge said as Kyrgios became more and more irate.
“Everyone knows he can be brilliant and play incredible tennis but the locker room knows that if you go out there emotionless he gets distracted in his own right.
“You go out there and engage as Tsitsipas did, then your opponent loses focus on the big things in the match.”
KYRGIOS 7-6, 3-3 BONZI
Infinitely more entertaining than his first round match, Kyrgios is mixing outbursts and outrageous flare beautifully.
For all the criticism he cops for being mouthy, he is WAY more interesting to watch when the showman is here.
“I’m two metres away from you,” Kyrgios yells at his box head shaking and f-bombing. Seems a familiar tale, he wants them on their feet yelling for him on the big points.
Todd Woodbridges makes an excellent point: “Why does he wants his player’s box to tell him what to do when he’s coachless, I mean goodness me.
“The amount of energy he expends unnecessarily, it wears him out. He is so much better when he doesn’t do that.”
KYRGIOS 7-6, 1-1 BONZI
Nick is shaking his head more than anything else so far in this second set and while I don’t know as much about tennis as he does, I’m confident that’s not the way to fix you first serve.
The death stares directed at his box are as icy as they get.
Second game in and some fearless shot choices from Kyrgios. Two one hand back hands off the line and Bonzi punished for not burying some very straightforward volleys. A SUBLIME backhand down the line winner for NK to set up a break point.
Which he loses and he’s yelling it at everyone to hear about.
John Isner has withdrawn from the US Open with a wrist injury.
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 31, 2022
Holger Rune advances to Round 3 with a walkover.
FIRST SET KYRGIOSKYRGIOS 7-6 BONZI
Can’t say it’s how I expected this opener to go but Bonzi has served up a storm and we got to a tie-break.
That final service game from Nick also his fastest of the match - which is what he will want.
At this stage I’m not convinced Kyrgios wins this match.
TIEBREAK
KYRGIOS 7-3 BONZI
If there’s one shot I love of Nick’s more than any other it’s his cross-court forehand - the positioning and power is sublime to watch and it’s almost always a winner.
Bonzi doing well to outwit Kyrgios early on, gets the mini break catching Nick off balance and forcing the ground strokes from the side of the court.
A stunning effort from Bonzi to land a lunge volley - he does but he’s left sprawling all over the floor - and to his credit made it a really tough shot for Kyrgios to make.
Strong recovery from the Aussie, Bonzi on the floor again, racquet whipped out his hand in an attempt to make a volley, Nick takes the first.
Very entertaining contest I must say.
KYRGIOS 5-4 BONZI
A nice variety to Nick’s offering so far today, mixing up the shots and doing very well to play the patience game and force the errors.
The curious thing here is how much Nick has researched his opponent. Bonzi’s not the most well known name on tour and Nick - according to Todd Woodbridge and Jelena Dokic - “just likes to figure it out while he’s playing” as opposed to doing any pre-match study.
Currently it seems Nick’s is being caught off guard by just how defensive Bonzi’s strategy is AND he’s heckin’ fast.
F-bombs dropping and Nick’s cracking it at his player’s box already - which Woodbridge says “is never a good sign”.
“He’s angry with himself and he’s dropped a loose service game, he gave that one away. Everyone knows he can be brilliant but the locker room knows that if you go out there emotionless he gets distracted in his own right. You go out there and engage as Tsitsipas did, then your opponent loses focus on the big things in the match.”
A couple of break points squandered by Nick and Bonzi stays ahead.
BREAK BACKKYRGIOS 2-3 BONZI
Well well, Kyrgios broken on serve and it’s no often we see that. The Aussie self-critiquing and giving a running commentary on his first serve which is sub-optimal at the moment.
Credit to him though he pulls off some almighty seconds to get himself within a point of holding but it’s not enough.
Bonzi follows up with a hold and is ahead for the first time.
EARLY BREAKKYRGIOS 2-1 BONZI
An early break for the Aussie which is consolidated in under two minutes. He’s head down, playing fast and settling nicely.
He was very controlled and subdued against Kokkinakis in round one - as we expected him to be playing against a great mate - but which Nick do we see today?
The antics and the mouth or another quick fire get the job done Nick? Time will tell.
A better third game form Bonzi and he’s on the board after eight minutes - will help settle his nerves.
7:10AM A BATTLE TO BE HERE
Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios will be battle travel fatigue and an emerging French threat in his second round US Open clash.
Kyrgios survived an “uncomfortable” opening round win over good friend Thanasi Kokkinakis, but conceded afterwards that his energy levels were at an all-time low after a gruelling four months on the road.
“I’m exhausted,” Kyrgios said. “Ninety-nine per cent of the tennis tour doesn’t understand what it’s like to go on the road this long. I’m not even doing it that longer than other Australians.
“There are other Australians that have been on the road five, six months. I’m closing in on four months. It’s brutal.
“There’s babies being born in my family, mum is sick, dad is not well. I have to continue to travel. Because we’re from Australia, we don’t have any choice. Obviously I’m exhausted.
“But I have no choice but to wake up and try and put in my best performance today. I’m not complaining. I’m just saying, like, it’s hard.”
6:52AM PLAYING FOR MY FAMILY
Coming on court, this is what Nick had to say.
“Winning tournaments and making money looks like a success but I play for other reasons; my partner, my family. They have seen the world throw negative bubbles at me to make them proud means a lot to me.”
Don’t write Bonzi off - he is the No 2 French player and he ousted countryman Humbert in round one.
Playing into Nick’s favour however is the fact that clash went to five so his opponent today will be feeling that additional time on court.
6:34 THEY’RE FINISHED!
2 hours 34 minutes and Keys goes through, labouring to a three set win. Should have done it in straight.
Kyrgios is up next.
6:21AM THEY’RE STILL GOING
Third set tie-break in the women’s. First to 10 - win by 2.
Meanwhile, Serena and Venus have been told they will open their doubles campaign on Arthur Ashe Stdaium tomorrow - it’s the first time an opening round of doubles has been scheduled for the No 1 showcourt.
6:13AM NEW YORK FAIRYTALE
Former champion Andy Murray has reached the US Open third round for the first time in six years with a four-set win over American wildcard Emilio Nava.
Murray, who famously ended Britain’s 76-year wait for a men’s Grand Slam title when he won the US Open in 2012, came out on top 5-7, 6-3, 6-1, 6-0.
“Physically this is the best I’ve felt in the last few years,” said 35-year-old Murray.
“My movement is by far the best it’s been in a long time. I’m getting closer to where I want to be and hopefully I can have a deep run here.”
Next up for Murray is Berrettini
5:58 AM WE’RE EDGING CLOSER
Still with me? Anybody else regretting the alarm at 4:30am?
Giorgi has taken control of this third set so we are not far away. The Italian 4-2 up on the hometown favourite, then it’s Nick.
So for a match scheduled at 3:15am we’re looking at 6:15-6:30am start AEST.
5:32AM WHO IS NICK PLAYING?
Nick’s opponent in the second round – world No. 50 Benjamin Bonzi – came through a five-set thriller over French compatriot Ugo Humbert in the first round and he represents a tough challenge for Kyrgios.
The duo have never met on the ATP tour but Bonzi has two top 20 scalps this year and is a strong returner who will need to be at the top of his game against the powerful Kyrgios serve.
We await the start of their match as Madison Keys and Camila Giorgi battle it out and sadly for those wanting Nick on court, they look bound for a third set.
You have time to go make a coffee if you want or a couple more snoozes on the alarm.
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