NewsBite

Nick Kyrgios broke down in tears at the US Open

NICK Kyrgios showed a completely different side of himself, breaking down in tears during his match against Illya Marchenko.

James Matthey
2 min read
September 4, 2016 - 2:57PM
It was all too much to deal with.
It was all too much to deal with.

NICK Kyrgios broke down in tears at a change of ends in the third set of his third-round clash against Ukrainian Illya Marchenko at the US Open on Sunday (AEST).

At a set-all and down 4-1 in the third, Kyrgios was struggling massively with a hip complaint. He took a medical time-out at the end of the second and told the trainer: “If it doesn’t get better, I’m done.”

After three games in the third, Kyrgios looked towards his box and appeared to tell them: “Two more (games) then I’m done.”

After those two games the trainer visited him again. Kyrgios explained how much he was struggling, but for a long part of the exchange he didn’t say anything at all. Instead, he buried his face in a towel as the tears arrived.

“I’m down 4-1, this is bulls***,” he said.

It was almost surreal to watch. We’re so used to seeing the angry Kyrgios or the immature Kyrgios, but a vulnerable Kyrgios unable to keep the tears at bay? Commentator Adam Peacock said he’d never seen it from him on the court before.

Unsurprisingly he went on to lose the third 6-1 and retired, ending his run at the year’s final grand slam.

Kyrgios breezed through the first set and looked on track to do the exact same in the second before he was broken late and couldn’t regain the momentum as Marchenko took it 6-4.

He started showing signs of being in considerable pain midway through the set, and the discomfort only got worse as the match progressed. He resorted to keeping points shorter and shorter, but ultimately Marchenko was always going to seize his advantage.

The 21-year-old’s hip flexor injury flared up during his first-round win over Aljaz Bedene, and it also affected him in his second-round victory over Argentina’s Horacio Zeballos.

Tennis legend John McEnroe savaged Kyrgios while commentating the match for ESPN, slaying his professionalism. That angered plenty on social media who thought his criticism was unwarranted given Kyrgios showed courage to play through injury.

‘NO WAY, NO WAY IN THE WORLD!’

Earlier, Kyrgios showed just what makes him such a rare talent.

Serving at 15-30 down at 2-2 in the second set, having already won the first 6-4, the 21-year-old and Marchenko played out one of the rallies of the tournament so far. Kyrgios bossed the start of the exchange from the baseline and the Ukrainian had to defend, before the tables turned and Kyrgios found himself scrambling to stay in the point.

After 20 odd shots, a Kyrgios shot landed short and forced Marchenko off the court on his backhand wing near the service line. His cross-court drop shot then looked for all money like it would win him the point, but the Aussie showed great speed and a willingness to not give up.

He sprinted forward and managed to get his racquet to the ball — miraculously putting significant backspin on it — before tumbling over. It was too good for Marchenko, who couldn’t get close to the ball.

“No way. No way in the world!” said commentator Adam Peacock. “How has he made that?

“Look at the zip on that from an almost stationary ball, and the pace he was running at.”

“(That is) the rally of the tournament,” added Wally Masur.

“That was a piece of brilliance from Marchenko.

“It’s just a different level of skill that Nick has than a majority of players on tour.”

Read related topics:Nick Kyrgios
More related stories

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/tennis/nick-kyrgios-and-illya-marchenko-played-out-one-of-the-rallies-of-the-tournament/news-story/6c757138b6d0a64525797b44ca5d8537