‘Should walk out’: Girlfriend caught up in Kyrgios’ US Open drama

Nick Kyrgios’ girlfriend Costeen Hatzi has been advised to walk out on him as she was caught up in his spectacular US Open drama.

Costeen Hatzi sitting in Nick Kyrgios' US Open player's box.

Nick Kyrgios’ girlfriend Costeen Hatzi and the rest of his team have been advised to walk out on the tennis star during his matches after his day of drama at the US Open.

The Aussie is through to the third round after a rollercoaster match of high drama where the 27-year-old briefly lost the plot and almost lost the match against world No. 50 Benjamin Bonzi on Thursday morning in New York.

Kyrgios was seen repeatedly berating the people sitting in his courtside player’s box as he raged at them for what he clearly believes was a lack of cheering and support, as he has made a habit of doing.

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Kyrgios was also seen spitting on the court in their direction as the match began to slip through his fingers and was given a code violation for unsportsmanlike behaviour. He was lucky the chair umpire chose to look the other way for the rest of the match as Kyrgios continued to curse at the members of his team sitting just metres away from him.

He was also in a bizarre moment where he complained to the chair umpire about breathing in marijuana smoke that was coming from the crowd.

However, what really had him fuming was the reactions from his player’s box, which included a friend, his physio and Hatzi sitting in the front row, during the final two sets.

“Go home if you’re not going to f***ing support me bro,” he shouted towards his box, earning a code violation for his language.

Costeen Hatzi sitting in Nick Kyrgios' US Open player's box.

He was also heard on countless times yelling at them early in the match, barking: “F***! It’s game point! I just don’t get it”.

Kyrgios has previously spoken about how he tries to get energy by engaging with his player’s box and has made a habit of snarling at them when it gets tough.

However, Aussie legend Todd Woodbridge has rubbished Kyrgios’ supposed tactic and says his team should not have to endure being treated like that.

“The behaviour is just not helpful and it’s just not healthy,” Woodbridge said on Channel 9.

“That was during the changeover from Nick and we all know it’s a waste of time being like that,” Woodbridge said.

“The people that are sitting in his player’s box have to take some action. That action should probably be standing up and walking out. They’ve got nothing to do with what goes on the court. It’s up to Nick to make the shots and hit the plays.”

Woodbridge said Kyrgios won’t go deep at the US Open if he is unable to retain his focus and not fall into the pattern of yelling at his player’s box.

“It was an injustice to himself,” Woodbridge said.

Costeen Hatzi and Nick Kyrgios in New York. Source: Instagram

Australia's Nick Kyrgios's partner Costeen Hatzi at Wimbledon. Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP.

Kyrgios said after the match he is feeling the pressure of coming to Flushing Meadows after his run all the way through to the final at Wimbledon, partly explaining his erratic behaviour on Thursday.

“I’m just really happy to get through,” he said.

“It’s been a very stressful time. Me and my team have high expectations to go deep this week and I’m just glad I got through.

“It (Wimbledon) has made life more stressful. Every tournament I play now I’m expecting to play amazing tennis every time.

“But I’d rather have that pressure and the expectation to go far. And compared to last year I’m much more confident. I feel like I’m playing some of the best tennis in my life.”

Earlier, during the second set, Kyrgios had complained about being able to smell marijuana in the stadium.

“It was f***ing marijuana,” he told umpire Jaume Campistol.

“Obviously I’m not going to be complaining about food stuff. Obviously not.

“Obviously when athletes are running side-to-side and they have asthma already it’s probably not ideal.”

Kyrgios confirmed in his post match press conference that he suffers from asthma.

“People don’t know. I’m a heavy asthmatic,” Kyrgios said.

“When I’m running side to side, I’m struggling to breathe, probably not something I want to be breathing in in between points.”

Kyrgios is no stranger to getting upset with Grand Slam crowds. In July’s Wimbledon final, he demanded a fan be ejected from Centre Court at the All England Club for consuming “700 drinks” and being “drunk out of her mind.” The woman who was the target of the Australian’s anger said she intended to sue over the “baseless and reckless allegations”.

Kyrgios was also fined $10,000 for spitting in the direction of fans during a first round match at Wimbledon.

— with AFP