'What a waste': The great 'shame' in Nick Kyrgios' US Open loss
Nick Kyrgios may never get a better chance to win a maiden grand slam title.
In a huge opportunity lost just as the draw had opened up for the mercurial talent, Kyrgios crashed out of the US Open with a 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 third-round loss to red-hot Russian Andrey Rublev.
After top 10 stars Dominic Thiem (4), Stefanos Tsitsipas (8) and Roberto Bautista Agut (10) all crashed out in the first round, the draw completely opened up for Kyrgios.
All three were in Kyrgios’ quarter of the draw and many thought he was primed for a deep run at Flushing Meadows.
But despite the golden opportunity, Kyrgios made the stunning admission that he didn’t even want to be there during his loss on Saturday.
The Australian was heard complaining: "I don't even want to be here. I just want to go home.”
He later explained: "I guess I've been on the road five and a half months now. It's not easy.”
Fans couldn’t help but feel it was a wasted opportunity.
Kyrgios will never get a better opportunity to win a slam in his career. Such a waste of talent #USOpen
— Rohanct (@RohanCT) September 1, 2019
@DickieV what a shame the Nick Kyrgios doesn’t embrace the game 100% of the time. If he did he could be one of the greats of all time. Those last two points played were something! When he’s focused and locked in he’s a pleasure to watch.
— Michael Hogan (@mihogan) September 1, 2019
It’s a shame Kyrgios gives up so easily!! He easily could have dug in and let Rublev make a mistake!! This easily could have gone 5 sets because I believe Kyrgios was the better and more consistent player #USOpen
— Alex Strazza (@Galaxy_Riders) September 1, 2019
Better, it seems Kyrgios is interested in everything but tennis these days... shame, what a waste of talent... #USOpen #Kyrgios https://t.co/j1DfXqliyB
— Aitor Reverón (@AitorReveron) September 1, 2019
Kyrgios basically forfeited that match within the first 20 minutes. A shame, he could EASILY had beaten Rublev IF he really wanted to play. I don’t know whats going on in his head. He has all the talent, but does not want to play against „small“ opponents i guess? #USOpen
— Dominik T (@Thonifcksu) September 1, 2019
Clearly he checked out of this one! Pathetic #Kyrgios #USOpen 🎾.
— Gen ♏️☯️💜 Happy Birthday Kookie! (@GenyF91) September 1, 2019
Kyrgios gone. Love how some people said the draw had opened up for him.
— Ian Harkin (@sportznut67) September 1, 2019
Cba. Not gonna see an easier draw than thag for a while and loses to rublev. Waste of time #Kyrgios
— Josh (@WbaJosh) September 1, 2019
Kyrgios blames video games
Kyrgios claimed video games were ruining him and demanded a linesman be removed during a typically dramatic exit.
The Aussie spent most of the match complaining of being blinded by the lights on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
He needed eye drops from the tournament physio just three games in.
"I throw the ball up in the air and I can't see for, like, 30 seconds after," he said, adding that he was guessing where the next ball was going to be when he tried to hit it.
But there was bigger trouble shortly after when a linesman reported Kyrgios for allegedly swearing.
The 28th seed wasn't happy during a talking-to from the chair umpire, yelling at the linesman from his changeover chair: "whistleblower" before demanding Eva Asderaki to "get him off".
"I said I can't see a thing. That's all I said," Kyrgios insisted.
The tennis enigma then thundered down four consecutive aces in a spectacular 43-second game to force a tiebreaker, only to lose it as Rublev struck the first major blow.
"Gaming, bro. Call of Duty has ruined me," Kyrgios moaned to his box about the first-person shooter video game early in the second set.
He then later claimed: "I don't even want to be here, bro. I just wanna be home".
Kyrgios didn't have to wait long, blowing a 4-0 lead in the second-set tiebreaker and then dropping serve in the sixth game of the third set before submitting after one hour and 51 minutes.
"He played great tonight. Was super aggressive. I never felt comfortable," Kyrgios said.
"That was just credit to him playing his game. Yeah, it was tough.
"I mean, I had chances. I just didn't take them ... nowhere near my best tennis, but it is what it is."
with AAP