World reacts to Nick Kyrgios’ fascinating US Open loss to Andy Murray

SPARE a thought for those who work for Nick Kyrgios, who has come under serious fire following his first-round US Open defeat.

Nick Kyrgios, of Australia, reacts after losing his racket during his first round match against Andy Murray, of Britain, at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

SPARE a thought for those who work for Nick Kyrgios, who has come under serious fire following his first-round US Open defeat.

Tennis legends and the world’s press have had their say on the polarising Australian tennis star over the past 24 hours, with many criticising his antics and calling for the 20-year-old to pull his head in.

Perhaps the most cutting critique of all came from Sports Illustrated’s S.L. Price, who said Kyrgios had killed the Australian way of tennis.

“Tuesday night, the most reviled man in tennis walked out of Arthur Ashe Stadium clad in black, jaw bristling with a pirate’s goatee, black Mohawk erupting atop his skull. Tan highlights and day-glo footwear undermined the villainous affect, and the fact that he’d lost didn’t help. Only one part of his get-up, though, was completely wrong,” Price wrote.

“Buzzed into the right side of the 20-year-old Australian’s cranium was an EKG-like scrawl — the sign, in an emergency room, of a heart vitally alive. It should have been a flat line. The career of the game’s most exciting talent, we’ve heard, is in critical condition. Worse, one of tennis’ most revered codes — a way of life, really — may well be very much dead.”

Price went on to detail a small but revealing incident after Kyrgios’ press conference following his first-round 7-5 6-3 4-6 6-1 loss to world No. 3 Andy Murray.

“When his post-match press conference ended, Kyrgios started for the door when someone asked for a TV interview,” Price explained.

“He nodded, smiled, pulled a wad of chewing gum from his mouth and handed it to a handler. She smiled and stuck the wad into her left palm.”

Kyrgios wasn’t only making negative headlines, though.

Once again he surfed the grey area of entertainer, court jester and petulant brat like few athletes dare — and the world watched on in fascination.

His prime time performance did not please everyone, but it was certainly worth talking about.

Kyrgios will always have a section of fans that simply won’t forgive and forget his recent run of scandals, highlighted by his tasteless sledge to Stan Wawrinka at the Montreal Masters.

But other tennis fans seem prepared to give the 20-year-old another shot, as the ATP Tour did when it essentially put him on a six month probation with a suspended 28-day ban from competing and $35,000 fine.

This is how the world’s media reacted to Kyrgios’ rollercoaster loss.

UK MEDIA

Nick Kyrgios continues to entertain.

THE Daily Mail’s Mike Dickson reported Kyrgios became more endearing to the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd the longer the match lasted:

“At times this was like watching a cross between WWE wrestling, with Andy Murray the straight man and Nick Kyrgios the villain-cum-crowdpleaser,” he said.

“The match rated highly for entertainment value. That was largely thanks to the so-called ‘Bad Boy’ of tennis and his unpredictable, often extravagant shotmaking delivered from his slightly hunched frame.

“Hyperactive throughout, Kyrgios is not a purist’s delight and occasionally looked like he was more interested in showing off than actually winning the match. Yet he also showcased a remarkable and sometimes wayward talent that promises so much if he could ever get his head in order.

“There is no doubt the crowd warmed to the Australian, whatever his prior reputation, and his game style gave the world number three no rhythm and plenty of discomfort.”

Nick Kyrgios plays with the emotions of a teenager before their high school formal.

The Telegraph’s Simon Briggs said Kyrgios was his own worst enemy:

“Murray never found his most assured form – which was understandable in the light of Kyrgios’s volatile cocktail of talent and unpredictability,” he said.

“The trick against Kyrgios is often to hang tough and let him beat himself, and Murray did that effectively in the first two sets.”

The Daily Mirror’s Gary Ralson said Kyrgios’ tendency to play low-percentage trick shots when simple fundamentals would have proven more fruitful showed the Australian trivialised his big opportunity on centre court during prime time.

“There were times Kyrgios treated the match almost like an exhibition, hitting shots from between his legs and languidly returning Murray’s efforts while giving the appearance of a reluctance to even break sweat on a sticky night in Queens,” he said.

“At one point at the end of the second set he even appeared to fall asleep in his chair, his concentration and focus still questionable at this early stage in his career.”

US MEDIA

Yep. He was actually having a nap.

THE New York Post’s Marc Berman said Kyrgios acted like some of the most precious stars in the NBA.

“You never know what bizarre thing is going to follow Nick Kyrgios,” he said.

“The 20-year-old airhead does everything different and all the eccentricities were on display Tuesday night at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

“The forever jabbering, attention-seeking tennis bad boy from Australia got “banged’’ out of the US Open.

“He lived up to his reputation as an entertaining player with occasional brilliance but burdened by incessant antics.

“Despite all that talent, athleticism and power, his shot selection is borderline ridiculous. He sprinkles in more carefree drop shots than a doubles match between 70-year-olds at the park. His act is reminiscent of a young hyperactive Ron Artest with a dash of J.R. Smith. But he feels misunderstood.”

ESPN’s Greg Garber said Kyrgios wouldn’t have won over everyone:

“For those of you tennis aficionados shamelessly hoping for a Nick Kyrgios meltdown — and you know who you were — it never quite came,” he said.

Nick Kyrgios needed to play a few more simple forehands.

“There were flashes of brilliance, glimpses of what could be for Kyrgios in this sport, but he couldn’t shake some of the haters.”

ESPN’s Peter Bodo said Kyrgios was one of the most compelling players in tennis.

“He demonstrated Tuesday that the spectacular game that brought him notoriety long before those salacious remarks he made about Wawrinka and his girlfriend has not changed at all,” he said.

“Launching spectacular winners and errors, Kyrgios played a supremely entertaining, but at times stunningly immature match.

“Few would accuse Kyrgios of perfection, but even fewer would doubt that he’s already one of the most mercurial, compelling figures in tennis.

“He thrives on drama, and has the flair of a born showman.

“Kyrgios pays a heavy price for his antics and flair. His emotional nature and risk-taking style almost always translate to significant lapses in concentration, efficiency or prudent shot selection. But he’s not about to suppress his natural temperament.”

KYRGIOS ON TWITTER

Andy Murray just had to ride out the storm.

NICK Kyrgios refused to blame his loss on the scrutiny he has been under since his infamous match against Stan Wawrinka last month.

In his post match press conference Kyrgios said he would learn from the experience.

A few hours later Kyrgios took to Twitter and Facebook to declare he simply needs to get better while linking a YouTube highlights video of his match.

Gotta get better. https://t.co/7ePQAVSnMi http://t.co/3cy0Gtqcf6

— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) September 2, 2015