By Sam McClure
The courts of Wimbledon have seen many things over the years, but nothing quite like the mixed doubles combination of champion Venus Williams and enigmatic Aussie Nick Kyrgios.
There was laughing, cursing and court violations - and that was just from their own pairing - in a three-sets win over US duo Austin Krajicek and Sabrina Santamaria in the first round.
“We’re very different. I think she’s quite timid and very quiet. I’m a bit, you know, loud and talkative. At least we made it work,” Kyrgios said.
Hug it up: Nick Kyrgios and Venus Williams.Credit: Getty Images
Following the match, Kyrgios posted a photo of he and Williams walking on to the court with just one word attached to it: “iconic.”
And the Wimbledon crowd embraced them, clearly entertained by a strange and yet highly compatible doubles combination. At the end of the two-hour ordeal, Kyrgios and Williams received a standing ovation after the 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 result.
“It was just a lot of fun,” said Kyrgios, with a smile.
“She’s iconic to the sport and an absolute legend. She’ll go down as one of the greatest players ever to pick up a racquet when all’s said and done.
“I’m just glad that we got a win today — and she enjoyed herself too. She said she had so much fun.
“I think half the time she was just laughing at my accent.”
And while the match was generally played in good spirits, there was nothing to smile about in the deciding set when Kyrgios found himself in yet another heated exchange with a chair umpire.
Kyrgios was upset with umpire Arnaud Gabas over the period of time in which he should be allowed to challenge a line call.
Dynamic duo: Nick Kyrgios and Venus Williams.Credit: AP
But in typical Kyrgios fashion, the Australian admitted later that he used the incident as motivation to propel he and Williams to victory.
“The umpire kind of revved me up a little bit. I was very frustrated. So that’s when I kind of put it into fifth gear and really tried to push us over the line.”
Kyrgios, who has had a less than ideal build up to the tournament with minimal practice, faces 16th seed Canadian Felix Auger Aliassime in his third round singles match on Saturday [Sunday morning AEST].
He and Williams will return to the court on Monday for their second round mixed doubles clash with fourth seeds Édouard Roger-Vasselin (France) and Nicole Melichar (USA).
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