Nick Kyrgios has lost his opening match at the Indian Wells tennis tournament in California, swearing repeatedly in the second set of the straight-sets loss.
Playing for the first time since controversially missing Australia’s Davis Cup tie against the USA at Kooyong last weekend through illness, Kyrgios was beaten by Spain’s Albert Ramos-Vinolas 7-6 (7-4) 7-5 on Sunday morning AEDT.
Losing 3-2 in the second set, Kyrgios was heard on the television broadcast pleading emotionally with the chair umpire.
“What the f**k just happened?” the Australian said.
“Please Nick, stop using `F’ words,” the chair umpire responded.
“I didn’t say anything mate,” Kyrgios was heard saying.
“I don’t wanna play anymore, this is bulls**t,” Kyrgios went on to add.
During the opening set, Kyrgios was given a warning from the chair umpire for smashing a ball high into the stands after hitting a return long on the first point of the tie-breaker.
Kyrgios’s fiery exit from Indian Wells is the latest episode in a controversial period for the world No.27, who upset compatriot Bernard Tomic by missing Australia’s Davis Cup loss against the USA with illness.