Australian tennis’s terrible two having fun in Acapulco

The terrible two are at it again with Bernard Tomic withdrawing from a match and Nick Kyrgios giving a fan a spray.

Bernard Tomic withdrew from a match in Acapulco because of the heat.

Australian tennis’s terrible two are at it again, with Bernard Tomic withdrawing during a match because of “unbearable heat” and Nick Kyrgios giving a spectator a mouthful.

Tomic’s commitment to his sport again came into question after he lasted just the first set against American Donald Young in Acapulco. He looked lethargic at stages before withdrawing from the match after losing the set in a tiebreak.

Despite a relatively comfortable temperature of 27C, several reports quoted him as saying the heat was unbearable. He sought no assistance from a trainer and did not appear hampered as he left the court.

Bizarrely, Tomic returned later in the evening to take part in a losing doubles match.

Tomic’s loss ruled out a second-round clash in Mexico with compatriot Kyrgios — who had some battles of his own.

Initially bothered by an eye issue, Kyrgios then appeared to take umbrage with Israeli opponent Dudi Sela’s fans before winning 3-6 6-3 6-3. During the second set, he paused before a second serve before telling a spectator to “shut the f..k up”.

After the match, the veteran Sela confronted Kyrgios and the umpire stepped between the two but they soon appeared to resolve their differences, with Sela patting Kyrgios on the shoulder and moving on.

For Tomic, it was a strange way to finish in the Mexican resort town where he’d made the final and played some of his best tennis a year before.

It continues an ordinary start to the season for the former world No 17, who has lost three consecutive first-round matches.

He’s slid down the rankings to No 41 and, with the claycourt season ahead, it is hard to see his situation improving in the short term.

Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic enjoyed a first-up win, downing Slovakia’s Martin Klizan 6-3 7-6 (7-4) in his first match since a shock second-round loss in the Australian Open. Victory in his next match paves the way for a possible quarter-final against Kyrgios.

Second seed Rafael Nadal beat Mischa Zverev, 6-4 6-3.

AAP