Australian Open tennis: doubles winner Nick Kyrgios finds absence of fans is a downer

Fresh from a doubles triumph with Thanasi Kokkinakis, Nick Kyrgios is reluctant about playing until fans return to tournaments.

Nick Kyrgios serves in his men's doubles second-round match with partner Thanasi Kokkinakis of Australia against Lloyd Harris of South Africa and Julian Knowle of Austria during day six of the 2021 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on Saturday. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Fresh from a doubles triumph with Thanasi Kokkinakis, Nick Kyrgios has cast doubt about his participation on the regular tour until fans return to tournaments.

The Special Ks claimed an opening-round doubles success 6-2 6-4 over Lloyd Harris and Julian Knowle at Melbourne Park in front of empty stands in the Australian Open tennis on Saturday.

Both Kyrgios and Kokkinakis, who were beaten in five-set thrillers on Thursday and Friday by Stefanos Tsitsipas and Dominic Thiem respectively, revelled in each other’s company.

Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis talk tactics on Saturday. Picture: Getty Images

But Kyrgios said the absence of fans, which will continue at the Australian Open until at least Wednesday, was difficult to handle.

He suspects that without an audience, he would have struggled to fire himself up for a fourth round clash against Grigor Dimitrov had he ousted Thiem.

“It would have been tough for me, I think, playing with no crowd, especially the next match,” he said.

“For me personally, I think sports is entertainment at the end of the day, and I want to be able to play in front of full crowds around the world.

“That’s what I’m used to, and that’s [what I was] talking to Thanasi when I was out on the doubles court, I was like, I don’t know if I’m able to do a full schedule with doing this stuff.

“Obviously the quarantine in itself, but just like going out on court and playing with no crowd, I don’t know if that’s the way I want to do it, me personally, and that’s fine.

“That’s not a shot on anybody who does want to go play and go get points and make money. That’s fine, but for me I’m not sure that’s the option I’m going to go down.”

Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley, right, has a look at the doubles action amid the empty seats on court three. Picture: Michael Klein

The Canberran said it was great to be able to play again with his junior doubles partner, who is on the comeback trail. He just wishes it had been in front of a crowd.

“We know how to play doubles together. We had some success in juniors, and it’s just basically been about having the chance to play,” he said.

“Obviously it’s nice he’s getting his body right and things [are] linking up. We were very excited to play in front of fans though on Show Court 3 on a Saturday, when everyone is getting pissed, so that would have been awesome to go out there and just give them something to kind of go out with a bang.

“But it’s good that we got a win today. I think it was good just to get our bodies moving as well, especially me after last night. Hopefully anything is possible if we get a bit of momentum. We’ll see what happens.”

The pair will clash against Australian veterans Matt Ebden and John-Patrick Smith in the second round clash on Margaret Court Arena on Sunday afternoon.