Nick Kyrgios to Umpire: “You’re a f***king tool” and Spits at Him

Nick Kyrgios was defeated by Karen Khachanov 6-7 (3), 7-6 (4), 6-2 in the round of 32 of the Western and Southern Open 2019 on Wednesday. The Hot-headed Australian continued his long-standing feud with the chair umpire, Fergus Murphy during the action-packed match.

Nick Kyrgios won the first set despite having foot and ankle issues. However, in the second set, the Australian began to fume as he threw a towel on the camera, forcing the broadcasters to change to an overhead view.

Later in the second set, Kyrgios started to rant on the chair umpire, Fergus Murphy as he accused him of starting the shot clock too early. Kyrgios shouted, “Nobody calls the score as fast as you”. Murphy replied, “It depends on the shot.”

Nick Kyrgios then took a dig at Rafael Nadal as he gave his example for playing slow. He said, “Rafa is playing that quick? Hilarious. Hilarious. Hilarious! If Rafa plays that quick, I’m retiring from tennis. Get me some footage of Rafa playing that quick, that game. If you can find any of that I’ll shut my mouth and never speak again. I guarantee you’ll find none of that, none of it.”

He further continued to criticize Nadal and said, “Rafa’s routine alone takes 20 seconds. This is a joke. I’m one of the fastest players…” The unseeded 24-year-old was ultimately penalized with a point at the end of the second set tiebreaker after he insulted the chair umpire.

After Karen Khachanov won the second set tiebreaker, Kyrgios shouted, “The worst f***ing ref ever, the worst ref in the game. The worst, hands down. Every time I play he’s doing some stupid s**t, every time.”

During the changeover after the completion of the second set, Kyrgios announced that he needs a bathroom break. However, Murphy protested and told him that there is no time but Kyrgios walked anyway, carrying two racquets with him. Television cameras showed him smashing his rackets in the tunnel before picking them and walking back onto the court. He also spit while arguing with the umpire.

At the end of the match, Kyrgios unleashed on Murphy again. He said, “You’re a f***ing tool bro.” Nick Kyrgios also refused to shake Murphy’s hand after the match. He then went on to throw his shoes and other things into the crowd. He then went off the court after handing his broken racquets to young fans.

Nick Kyrgios does not have a good history with Fergus Murphy. The two have been involved in various arguments on the court.

Earlier, during the Queen’s Club Championships, Kyrgios was facing the Spaniard Carballes Baena when he accused Murphy of not checking up on the lines.

After missing the set point on Baena’s serve Kyrgios shouted on Murphy, “The ball was this far out, no joke. No joke. What are you doing? It’s so far long. What are you doing? What are you actually doing up there?” Kyrgios was heard to say. “Bro, it’s taking the p***. I refuse to play.”

He was also given unsportsmanlike conduct when he personally attacked Murphy. “It’s a joke, man. It’s a serious joke. Like your hat looks ridiculous, also. It’s not even funny.”

The argument continued when Kyrgios accused the linesman, “The ball was this far out on the second serve. I’m going. I’m not going to give 100 percent when I’ve got a linesman rigging the game, I don’t want to play.”

“Be careful, Nick, be careful what you’re saying,” Murphy said. To which Kyrgios replied, “I’m not talking to you. Don’t talk to me. Don’t talk to me.”

The two were involved more arguments during the Washington Open and Delray Beach Open 2019. Other than Fergus Murphy, Nock Kyrgios has also been involved in a quarrel with many chair umpires in the past several years.