We’re used to seeing Nick Kyrgios fire up on court when things don’t go his way, but the young tennis ace managed to crack a smile on Thursday when he was publicly schooled by the umpire during his match against Dutchman Robin Haase.
The Aussie star sailed through three sets to claim a victory 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 in just 96 minutes, but not without a minor disagreement with the umpire and a little shouting at his team box.
Kyrgios was serving when he was called out by chair umpire James Keothavong for a foot fault. The frustrated player immediately began to question the call, asking: “What? After I hit it, how’s that possible?”
But the umpire was having none of it and swiftly pointed out the obvious.
“That’s what he has to do, he can’t call it before you hit it!” he told Kyrgios much to the crowd’s amusement.
Rather than biting back, as he has so often done before, the 23-year-old player instead cracked a smile, shaking his head as he conceded Keothavong was correct.
While it was a light moment of humour in the match, it wasn’t all sunshine and smiles and Kyrgios did let his temper get the best of him at one point. Despite taking the lead early on the tennis ace let fly at his team box during one game and demanded the get on their feet to support him.
“Why are you down? How hard is it to stand up for one game? This could be over in five minutes,” the hot-headed player yelled towards the courtside box where those including his father George sat watching the match.
Kyrgios has been in fine form throughout Wimbledon so far, prompting commentators to suggest he could advance into the finals rounds if he keeps it up. He’s managed to steer clear of the temper tantrums he’s become famous for and was even commended earlier in the week for comforting a ball girl after he accidentally hit her in the arm with one of his most powerful serves, measuring at a reported speed of 223kmph.
Apologising for the incident, the usually angry player, put his arm around her lead her away for medical help.
Kyrgios will next face Japan’s Kei Nishikori, who ousted Australian Bernard Tomic 2-6 6-3 7-6 (9-7) 7-5 on Thursday.