Nick Kyrgios meltdowns are commonplace, but Wednesday’s display at the Cincinnati Open was petulant even by his standards.
The Australian tennis player known better for his outbursts than his game repeatedly lashed out at chair umpire Fergus Murphy during a 6-7, 7-6, 6-2 loss to Russia’s Karen Khachanov.
The conflict reportedly started over the shot clock when Murphy referenced Kyrgios’s pace of play during the second set.
Kyrgios calls Murphy a potato
“Why do I always have problems with this potato in the chair?” Kyrgios said of the Irish umpire.
The pair have history. Kyrgios delivered an expletive-filled tirade at Murphy when he disagreed with a call during the Fever Tree Championships in London in June.
Kyrgios continued to berate Murphy, eventually earning a court violation for saying: “Every time I play, he’s doing some stupid s—, every time.”
After being docked a point before the third set, Kyrgios called for a bathroom break. He took two rackets off the court, where ESPN cameras remained trained on him.
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Aug 12, 2019; Mason, OH, USA; Nick Kyrgios (AUS) reacts during a stop in play against Lorenzo Sonego (ITA) during the Western and Southern Open tennis tournament at Lindner Family Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 12, 2019; Mason, OH, USA; Nick Kyrgios (AUS) returns a shot against Lorenzo Sonego (ITA) during the Western and Southern Open tennis tournament at Lindner Family Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 11, 2019; Mason, OH, USA; Nick Kyrgios (AUS) practices during the Western and Southern Open tennis tournament at Lindner Family Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Nick Kyrgios of Australia yells during his first round match against Andy Murray of Britain at the U.S. Open Championships tennis tournament in New York, September 1, 2015. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 21:Nick Kyrgios of Australia yells toward his players box in his match against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria in his fourth round match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia on day seven of the 2018 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 21, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia.(Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – MARCH 26:Nick Kyrgios (AUS) fights with someone screaming in the crowd in the 4th round match at the Miami Open on March 26, 2019 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. (Photo by Michele Sandberg/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Nick Kyrgios appeals to the umpire on court one during day four of the Fever-Tree Championship at the Queen’s Club, London. (Photo by Steven Paston/PA Images via Getty Images)
Australia’s Nick Kyrgios hits himself on the head with his racket during his men’s singles third round match against Canada’s Milos Raonic on day five of the 2015 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 3, 2015. RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE–AFP PHOTO / GLYN KIRK / AFP PHOTO(Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK,JUSTIN TALLIS,ALBERTO PIZZOLI,ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 20: Nick Kyrgios of Australia complains to the umpire Fergus Murphy of Ireland during his First Round Singles Match against Roberto Carballes Baena of Spain during day Four of the Fever-Tree Championships at Queens Club on June 20, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Australia’s Nick Kyrgios walks past his bouncing racquet during his men’s singles match against Britain’s Andy Murray on day nine of the 2015 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 27, 2015. AFP PHOTO / WILLIAM WEST– IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE(Photo credit should read WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images)
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 04:Nick Kyrgios of Australia loses his temper as he smashes his racket in the match against Alexander Zverev of Germany during the Davis Cup World Group First Round tie between Australia and Germany at Pat Rafter Arena on February 4, 2018 in Brisbane, Australia.(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
2017 French Open Tennis Tournament – Day Five.Nick Kyrgios of Australia smashes his racket during his loss against Kevin Anderson of South Africa during the Men’s Singles second round match match at the 2017 French Open Tennis Tournament at Roland Garros on June 1st, 2017 in Paris, France.(Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
2017 U.S. Open Tennis Tournament – DAY THREE.Nick Kyrgios of Australia smashes his racquet after losing the third set in his match with John Millman of Australia during the Men”u2019s Singles round one match at the US Open Tennis Tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 30, 2017 in Flushing, Queens, New York City.(Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)”n
WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 04: Nick Kyrgios of Australia holds up the trophy after defeating Daniil Medvedev of Russia during the men’s singles final of the Citi Open at Rock Creek Tennis Center on August 04, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 04: Nick Kyrgios of Australia holds up the trophy after defeating Daniil Medvedev of Russia during the men’s singles final of the Citi Open at Rock Creek Tennis Center on August 04, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – July 02:Nick Kyrgios of Australia in action against Jordan Thompson of Australia during the Men’s Singles first round match on court three during the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club at Wimbledon on July 02, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)Up Next
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Kyrgios smashes rackets during bathroom break
Instead of going to the bathroom, Kyrgios instead smashed both rackets in the hallway before returning to the court.
‘F—ing tool’
After the match, Kyrgios refused to shake Murphy’s hand, instead calling him a ‘f—ing tool” before walking off the court for good.
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