‘Depressing’: Nick Kyrgios threatens to walk out on press conference

Aussie tennis star Nick Kyrgios has slammed questions in his press conference as “depressing”, saying he’d rather walk out.

Nick Kyrgios tells reporters their questions are “depressing” and he’d rather walk out. Picture: Australian Open YouTube

Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has shut down reporters asking whether he and doubles partner Thanasi Kokkinakis think the crowd will be in their corner on Saturday as they take on fellow Aussies.

Kyrgios and Kokkinakis beat no. 3 seeded pair Horacio Zeballos and Marcel Granollers 7-6 6-4 at Rod Laver Arena on Thursday afternoon, securing them a spot in the men’s doubles final against Aussies Max Purcell and Matthew Ebden.

Kyrgios and Kokkinakis have been a talking point of the Australian Open, drawing raucous crowds and using the rowdy atmosphere to their advantage.

It has copped harsh criticism from opponents, but the duo say entertaining and increasing tennis’ fanbase is more important to them than winning.

New Zealand’s Michael Venus called Kyrgios “an absolute knob” after Tuesday night’s match, and before that Kyrgios revealed previous opponent Mate Pavic’s coach and trainer threatened to fight him after their match.

Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios say they’re playing to entertain, and winning comes second. Picture: Brandon Malone / AFP

Kyrgios has particularly fired up opponents with his behaviour on court. Picture: Michael Klein

The first question at a post-match press conference on Thursday was what the duo expected from the crowd in the final given it is an all Aussie line-up.

But an unimpressed Kyrgios threw the question back at the reporter.

“You answer that question. How do you think it’s going to go?” he said.

The reporter replied: “I think you’ve had generally more in your corner than them. I’m just curious whether you anticipate they’ll still be in your corner as much as they have been.”

Kokkinakis stepped in to say “hopefully” but at the end of the day the fans will support who they want to support.

Another reporter then questioned whether a huge increase in ticket prices will impact the crowd.

“You played all through up until today on the courts where you can get people in on ground passes ($29-59). Today was like a discounted centre court pass. The final is going to be 500 bucks a ticket. Do you think that might have an impact? How are you going to rev up a crowd?” the reporter asked.

Kyrgios, again, didn’t want to answer. He labelled the questions “depressing” and said he’d rather walk out of the press conference than answer them.

“These questions are so depressing. We have four Aussies in the final. Can we stop dividing which crowd is going to go for who?” he said.

“It’s just amazing we got four Aussies in the final. Ash (Barty) doing her thing. Dylan (Alcott)’s last Australian Open. Can we up the energy a little bit? It’s f***ing awesome. Can we have some hype questions? Because I’d rather just walk out.”

When Kyrgios said he’d rather walk out, Kokkinakis stepped in to answer the question saying he wants to see as many people at the match as possible, even if it means lowering ticket prices. Picture: Australian Open YouTube

As the press conference went on, and Kyrgios stayed put, he was asked about the negative comments from tennis purists and players about his behaviour, including from Venus.

Speaking to TVNZ, Venus compared Kyrgios’ maturity level to a 10-year-old and said that was being generous.

But Kyrgios refrained from hitting back when given the opportunity.

“I’m not going to destroy him in this media conference room right now,” he said, adding that he had a lot more respect for Thursday’s opponents Zeballos and Granollers.

“They knew it was an incredible atmosphere. Zeballos took a selfie with us before we walked out. That’s how you embrace an atmosphere,” he said.

Kokkinakis and Kyrgios shake hands with Spain's Marcel Granollers and Argentina's Horacio Zeballos after winning their men's doubles semi-final match. Picture: Brandon Malone / AFP

Kokkinakis added that they were not trying to disrespect their opponents.

“It’s us trying to get the crowd going to just increase the atmosphere. Sometimes the opponents take it personally,” Kokkinakis said.

The duo’s next opponents Purcell and Ebden also spoke to the media on Thursday after their 6-3 7-6 win against Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury, and also weren’t pleased with questions about who they expected the crowd to get behind on Saturday.

“They’re playing big-time singles out there. We’re bringing a bit more doubles to the court,” Purcell said.

“They’re better at their game. We’re better at our game. I don’t feel there’s any underdog or over pair.

“The silliest questions of all time,” he laughed.

Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell will play Kokkinakis and Kyrgios in the men's doubles finals. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

As for their relationship with Kokkinakis and Kyrgios, it was all positive.

“We already just spoke to them, congratulated them. They congratulated us. It’s awesome to have two Aussie teams playing off in the final. What could be better really?” Ebden said.

Ebden even explained he’d been helping Kokkinakis ahead of his matches in the doubles tournament so far.

“I’ve been talking to Thanasi these last few matches trying to help him beat the guys he’s been beating actually,” he said.

“He’s been asking how his opponents play. We know obviously some of the doubles guys pretty well.”